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.

Ransel - The Colour And The Shape feat. Mari Boine (Beatservice Records)

Ransel returns to Beatservice with his latest alluring studio manifestations, joining revered Sami singer Mari Boine on the hypnotically charged “The Colour And The Shape.”

The Ransel project arrives via the fertile production mind of Øivind Sjøvoll, an artist who has long been a firm fixture in the Beatservice roster thanks to his routinely brilliant work recorded as Kohib. Here, he collaborates with pioneering Norwegian folk singer Mari Boine, an artist famed for her groundbreaking fusion of Sami joik singing and contemporary rock music. Unsurprisingly considering the protagonists, the music is utterly spellbinding, with each artist bringing their indelible sound signatures to the profoundly affecting composition.

Built around a magnetic groove, “The Colour And The Shape” bubbles and broods over rolling percussion as Boine's distinctive vocals interplay with otherworldly synth refrains and menacing bass. The evolving music throbs and undulates to a dramatic climax as bewitching vocal lines soar into the stratosphere while intoxicating melodies gyrate below.

This is genuinely mesmerizing work from Ransel, with this inspired collaboration proving to be some of his most memorable work to date.

Jon Wesley (Machine Friends) – “Great tune. I’ll definitely play it. Love that groove.”
Nick Warren (The Soundgarden) – “This is very, very good.”
Rory Hoy (Super Hi-Fi) – “Incredible stuff – love it!”
DJ Hal 9000 (Excuse Me? Club) – “A magic and addictive track.”
DJ Firefly (WRCT 88.3 Pittsburgh) – “Very hypnotic.”
Simon Kirk (Stag Beetle Radio Show) – “Wonderful sonic spaciousness. Those drums are just immense against that beautiful vocal.”

Available Now From: Bandcamp, Beatport, 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.

Anthony Mansfield & JP Soul - Ode To Moulton (Roam Recordings)

This latest release for Roam Recordings is arguably its most action-packed yet. The Ode To Moulton EP features four tracks of psychedelic and fun dance floor jams by studio mates and long time friends Anthony Mansfield (Hector Works) and JP Soul (Roam Recordings). The fire was lit under these two as the legendary Moulton Studios -- where their studio space was located -- was sold off to make way for overpriced condos (as is now all too common in San Francisco). Something about lemons … these two squeezed the last bits of juice out of that place and composed several releases, this being the first. The Ode To Moulton EP's title track starts things off with an intoxicating groove and crazy sounds 'swirlin’ atcha', while "It’s That Kind Of Friday" has a tribal feel that makes one want to go rave in the woods. "The Towel" follows -- it's a club stormer with an original disco groove teased in for fun -- and then "The Steam Cleaner" finishes things off in a big yet soothing fashion. All four tracks keep it upbeat and slinky for discerning dance floors, whetting the sonic appetite for more to come from this crafty duo.

Bing Ji Ling (The Phenomenal Handclap Band) - "Yeah, man … nice one. Raving ain't easy!"
Nick Warren - "Lovely vibes … I like 'em all."
Sleazy McQueen - "West coast rhythms and swirling synths programmed to melt faces!"
Adam Shelton (One Records / Visionquest) - "Top class stuff … I'm feeling all four tracks."
Ray Mang (Mangled / DFA) - "I will be playing 'It's That Kinda Friday'."
Flash Atkins (Paper Recordings) - "Yep, I really like these … 'Ode To Mouton' edging it on first listen."
Hollis P Monroe - "Damn, this is nice!"
Tim Paris (Marketing Music / My Favorite Robot) - "Hard to pick a tune in particular … it's a superb project in its whole."
Pete Moss - "'The Towel' is incredible but I'm also digging the rest of the release."
Severino (Horse Meat Disco) - "Yeah! Great package."
Ant Plate (Rhythm Plate / YSE) - "Top little EP that sounds like you guys had a new TR toy to play with in the studio!"
Pete Williams (Natural Rhythm) - "The dubbed out vibe of 'The Steam Cleaner' is my pick."
Chris Udoh (Tigerhook) - "I'm feeling this trippy, dubby vibe."
Tariq Ziyad (New Urban ERA) - "Funky analog sounds … nice!"
Simon Kirk (Stag Beetle Radio Show) - "A brilliantly original EP with serious attitude. 'The Towel' and 'The Steam Cleaner' in particular are real trips with sonics that will mesmerize. Well done."

Available now from Beatport, Juno Download, and iTunes.