KiloWatts & PointBender - Western Wolf Remixes (Harmonious Discord)

Last summer Harmonious Discord released a rare vinyl feature highlighting two long-time label creators, KiloWatts and PointBender. The EP featured deep, cerebral journeys like “Circling the Crown”, pulsating nighttime anthems like “Western Wolf’, and low-swung cross-over classics like "Swangert." For this release, the two producers enlisted the brainpower of close friends, returning artists, and consistent innovators to help celebrate 20 years of the label.

Included in this set is the return of house music legend Demarkus Lewis. Demarkus remixed Morgan Page on Harmonious Discord in 2004 and his applied skills to this project produced two fantastic flavors of "Western Wolf," ripe with bumping movement. Behind The Sky boss and genre-bending force, Bluetech applies his deep knowledge and context to deliver a beautifully evolving masterpiece. Berlin’s Noah Pred explores innovative angles of bio-mechanical feedback with a beautifully growing, often organic feeling re-imagining.

The project starts off with a musically elevated remix of “Swangert”. Bluetech sets free the dithered musical undertones with modulated synth patterns that dance romantically by and through each other. The vocal treatment enters cosmic terrain while the subtle bass jamming keeps a funk focus flowing. Next up is the Deez Puppy Chow Mix of "Western Wolf" which tames the elements of the original into a body-moving selection prime for rocking big-sound speakers. The remix reaches peak-time tension with the introduction of expertly crafted acid lines. The following Deez Acid Free Remix delivers the same energy without the frontal acid line, but more emphasis on rising effects patterns that maintain the level of insanity. Our final guide into the deep crevices of a-cult warehouse worship is the Acid Reign Remix by Noah Pred. Pred doesn’t hesitate to get into melodically complex corners from the start and leaves plenty of room for sonic expansion as his synthesizer elements embody a mind of their own. A true embodiment of Harmonious Discord's 20-year celebration is perfectly captured in this high-powered collection.

Colin Dale (Abstrakt Dance Records) – “A solid EP with some really cool sounds.”
Anthony Pappa (Bedrock) – “Noah Pred’s Acid Reign remix is cool.”
Rory Hoy (Howlin’ Records) – “I really like the Bluetech remix. Funky stuff!”
Scheibosan (Shanti Roots) – “I like the acid on Deez Puppy Chow Mix.”
Black Mighty Wax (Irma Records) – “An intriguing release.”
DJ Firefly (Couch Dancing) – “Great new takes on some excellent originals.”
Simon Kirk (Proton Radio) – “Powerful remixes. Truly forward thinking music.”

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

Evan Marc - Miconia EP (Innerflight Music)

Seattle’s Innerflight Music serve up the Miconia EP, another top notch release featuring returning label confidant Evan Marc. Under his well known guise Bluetech, Marc has toured the world over, traveling throughout Europe, Asia, and the Americas, and released material on such labels as Native State and Interchill Records. Intertwining elements from the psychedelic as well as the experimental / IDM communities, Marc’s work under his Bluetech pseudonym has been described as both as ‘psytelligent’ dance music and ‘spacehop.’ Evan Marc’s output under his given name is techier and more dance floor oriented, but still retaining the lush and melodic elements of his more recognized project. The Miconia EP features three original offerings from Marc as well as a superb remix from Canadian-born, Berlin-based tech-house DJ and producer Noah Pred (Thoughtless Music, Cynosure).

With this new release Marc takes a straightforward, club-centric approach laying further on the techno end of the spectrum than his previous works. “Miconia” is a technical, layered production that sets the tone for the rest of the EP with its ominous synths, tinkering percussion, and quick breaks. Much like its predecessor, “Spectabilis” moves forward at a quick clip. Cantankerous, streamlined clicks and clacks fill the subtle space between a buzzing synth line and eerie chord progressions that add to the minimal techno aesthetic, while “Dormant” takes on a slower, low-slung house persona with its rugged kicks and eclectic soundscapes. Also contained is an upbeat remix of the title track from Noah Pred, complete with wobbly tribal flurries and rich drum textures reminiscent of masterly fellow Germans M.A.N.D.Y. The Miconia EP features a subtle yet sophisticated range of sounds worth adding to any discerning music collection.

Jay Tripwire - “Noah Pred f**king killed it! This is insane.”
Stacey Pullen - “This is cool.”
Colin Dale (Abstrakt Dance) - “I love this … great sounds and production. Very fresh sound which puts it heads and shoulders above the rest. Killer!”
Chris Fortier - “Nice Noah Pred remix of ‘Miconia.’”
Spettro - “The synth work in ‘Miconia’ is angelic. The bouncy yet silky beats are spot on. Full support!”
Denney (Hot Creations / 20:20 Vision) - “Both mixes of ‘Miconia’ are nice. I will try them out for sure.”
Q-Burns Abstract Message - “Fantastic, sophisticated sounds all around … it’s all quite good, but ‘Dormant’ is the one that’s really ringing my bell.”
Cooccer (Pesto Music / Deepclass) - “Great release!”
Pointbender (Harmonious Discord) - “Evan brings a refreshing ear to house music production and I can not get enough. Noah’s mix is great for the dance floor.”
Rootfellen (Spring Tube / Tulipa) - “‘Spectabilis’ is amazing!”
Ulysses (Neurotic Drum Band) - “Nice, smooth tech-house. I like the layered melodies of ‘Miconia’ best. The dubby vibe of ‘Dormant’ is cool, too.”
Sumsuch (Colour and Pitch / DeepWit) - “‘Dormant’ is a truly stunning track. I’m also really feeling the Noah Pred remix of ‘Miconia.’ Excellent.”
Tyler Stadius - “Lovely tracks.”
Adam Collins (Euphoria Records / Omni A.M.) - “Wow. Noah Pred’s remix is so good. Overall this package is great. Amazing production and selections here.”
Merlyn Martin (Subdivisions Radio Show) - “‘Dormant’ is deep goodness.”
Summer (Tulipa Recordings / Mo’s Ferry) - “This release is the sickness.”
Makossa & Megablast - “Great deep tracks.”

Available now from Beatport.

Stéphane Vera - Peppermint Funk EP (nice+smooth ultramedia)

Toronto label nice+smooth ultramedia are pleased to introduce a slice of manic, futuristic funkiness with Stéphane Vera's deliciously slinky “Peppermint Funk.” Although he’s never said it outright, Stéphane could be a musical genius, a modest one, whose pioneering work has made significant contributions to the expansive world of future music and sound science. His intelligent insight and years of experience in musical experimentation and production could fill pages, not posts. Highlights of his activities include being lead composer at computational music company waveDNA, scoring music for the Emoti-chair, a device that allows the deaf to experience music, and creating ringtones and music for Microsoft. Stéphane has also collaborated with the likes of ill.Gates & Si Begg, Peter Primiani (83 West), jazz great Laila Biali, Roy Davis Jr., and DJ Romain on various recordings. His sound is that of an electronic music you can’t quite put your finger on, such as afro-funk over a glitchy beat to effervescent house teased with trip hop.

"Peppermint Funk" is taken from Stéphane Vera’s upcoming nice+smooth album Sacred Geometry. The cut is a frenetic combination of high-octane beats and bass lines underneath pulsing synths and analog melody. The track evolves and changes throughout its seven minutes, revealing many layers and parts that should please the most ADD of DJs (ADDJs?). But, most importantly, it is undeniably funky and should send dance floors into chaotic fits.

Another upcoming album cut, “Rebuild,” also appears but as remixed by Berlin-based producer Noah Pred. Noah’s released with Cynosure, Trapez LTD, Highgrade, and his own Thoughtless imprint and is definitely making waves. His “Rebuild” rework is a creeping techno boiler, consisting of well-placed rhythms, a hypnotic bass bounce, squelchy melodies, and a funky swell. It’s masterful late night fodder. Finally, “Peppermint Funk” returns, this time in the capable hands of Si Begg. A well-known producer of intricate and highly rhythmic ‘bass music,’ Si Begg has released acclaimed tunes for the likes of NovaMute, Noodles Recordings, and Addictech Records. His superb version of “Peppermint Funk” is pure space-age jazz funk, filled with rolling keys, speed freak beats, and sounding sort of like a high-tech Lonnie Linston Smith.

Ashley Beedle - “The original mix is real cool and the Si Begg mix is amazing. Super space music!”
Jaymz Nylon - “Nice blend of funk, techno and jazz that will easily translate to a deep house dance floor.”
Deepchild - “Trust Noah Pred to preach the truth …”
Inland Knights - “‘Peppermint Funk’ is fun!”
DJ Rocca (Ajello) - “Welcome back, Si Begg!”
Orde Meikle (Slam) - “Strong release. I’m loving Noah’s productions and this remix … big fan, will spin.”
Daz-I-Kue (Bugz In The Attic) - “Soulful, upbeat, innovative … love it.”
Ulysses (Neurotic Drum Band) - “I’m always a fan of Si Begg’s twisted funk.”
Rodion (Gomma) - ” I like the moody psychic after hours feel of the Noah Pred remix.”
DJ Morpheus (Lysergic Factory) - “The original is excellent and the Si Begg remix is a mighty floor monster!”
DJ Nova (Rodon FM) - “I can’t resist this futuristic space jazz funk sound. This is the kind of techno that melts perfectly with jazz and soul. Love it.”

Available now from Juno Download, iTunes, and Amazon