Djoser Pharaoh - Star Love (Selekta Recordings)

Selekta Records continues to break boundaries and seek new sounds with a remix package celebrating "Star Love" from Detroit native and multi-faceted artist Djoser Pharaoh. The original tune is an emotional and undeniably soulful production, outwardly influenced both by classic R&B and Prince's powerful balladry. Djoser Pharaoh's vocal is impeccable, delivering equal parts intimacy and passionate fireworks.

The team at Selekta wisely recognized the potential to bring this song to the dance floor and commissioned a pack of top notch remixes. First up is the Galaxy of Soul Remix from The Stoned, AKA the San Antonio-based father/son duo of Josh Stone and Josh Stone Jr., recently named one of Traxsource's top 100 Jackin' Artists of 2021. This mix takes things deep, focusing on Djoser's vocal and adding chiming chords and a crisp house rhythm. Selekta's own DJ Dennis brings in some old-school elements for his Seeing Stars Remix, introducing chunky drum rolls, laser-bright synth effects, and a cool bit of acid house — but never losing sight of the vocal line. Pioneering Sacramento DJ David X increases the tempo a tad and adds a bouncing bass line for his Club Mix. Djoser's voice floats effortlessly above a concoction of guitar hits, pads, and driving patterns. The legendary DJ EFX harks back to his Strictly Rhythm days on his Celestial Mix, injecting tons of low end and shimmering arpeggiations into "Star Love." DJ Lana Johnson (LTHM, Fresh Farm) closes out with the Deep Space Mix, placing the tune into a slightly techy and dubby realm, but nonetheless as deep as it gets. A prime package of tracks all around, ready for nightclub action.

Tee Cardici (Low Down Grooves) – “Five stars to DJ Dennis for taking this one to a whole other level. This is a VIBE right here.”
Sumsuch (Colour and Pitch) – “This is so good!”
Jaymz Nylon (Nylon Recordings) – “Star Love" (Original) is a gorgeous piece music.”
Indy Lopez (D&S Club Beatz) – “Nice pack. Lana Johnson’s remix is sweet.”
Sandro Bianchi (Ibiza Sonica) – “Beautiful original, brilliant remixes!”
Simon Kirk (Stag Beetle radio show) – “David X instrumental for me. Brilliant future funk.”

Available Now From: Beatport, Bandcamp, Traxsource, And Spotify.

Mined Music - In Pieces / Under My Spell (Søndae Records)

Mined Music is Michael Newell, a Munich-based DJ and producer known for his keyboard prowess and funky productions. He also one half of Mined & Forrest, releasing top tracks for labels like Breakbeat Paradise and Timewarp Music. Mined Music now returns to Søndae Records for a fantastic double A-side single, “In Pieces” / “Under My Spell.” These two tunes are full of magical vibes.

“In Pieces” is a trippy and operatic hip-hop-flavored tune with a ‘90s-style beat. After contributing vocals to Mined Music’s previous Søndae release, Maree Lawn returns with another captivating performance. She’s assisted by US-based rapper Cleva Thoughts who spits raw lyrics in a riveting old school style — an excellent alternative to the auto-tune overload of today. There’s also an air of mystery, which carries on in “Under My Spell.” This cut slows things down with a laid back ambient groove. UK-based singer Amanda Power expresses the power of desire with a lovely smooth flavor and a subtle, dark twist. The emotive pad movements and synth choirs are joined by Dara Zusko, a professional classical violinist. Her evocative melodies send the listener on a luxurious, deep dive.

Jon Fugler (Fluke) – “Solid selection. In Pieces is just edging ahead for me, I like the classic rap style.”
Rory Hoy (Super Hi-Fi) – “Great pair of tunes!”
FineCutBodies (Chi Records) – “Great pop music with great production.”
DJ Jazzy L (Jazzy Lounge Radio) – “Under My Spell has me under it’s spell.”
Jon Wesley (Music Goes ON Radio Show) – “I love both, but I think ‘Under My Spell’ is the favorite. I’ll play them both for sure.”
Double-D (Funky Fresh Radio Show) – “Nice one, In Pieces is a great underground tune.”
Sharif Galal (Triple J Radio) – “Powerful and gripping! One of the best releases of this year.”
DJ Clairvo (Tilos Radio, 90.3) – “Sounds amazing! Kinda dark, yes so dope. Full support.”

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

Reggie Got Beats - On The Floor 2020 (Beatservice Records)

Reggie Got Beats is busting out from the south shore of the Trondheim Fjord, bringing his funky electronic Nordic disco to the masses. A triple threat — DJ, producer, and drummer — Reggie’s tunes jump among the spaces found between soul, house, R&B, and disco. Since 2015, Reggie Got Beats has turned heads and delighted ears through releases for the likes of Diskorama, NDYD, Paper Recordings, and Midnight Riot and his work with RGB Unit, his live band. Reggie Got Beats is a force to be reckoned with — on the dance floor!

Reggie Got Beats returns to Beatservice with “On The Floor”, a track that first appeared as a 2016 Bandcamp-only release on Diskorama. Here it’s been overhauled, remastered, and re-remixed for the year 2020. “On The Floor” is a groovy afrobeat-inspired deep disco number featuring Rohey Taalah singing a familiar and rousing refrain. The instrumentation percolates, with bouncy bass lines, filtered synth pads, and gritty rhythms. Included is original extended Dub version from Ralph Myerz (Klik Records, Disco Piñata) and a brand new mix from Tromsø’s own Third Attempt (Beatservice, Paper Recordings). The latter intensifies the funk quotient in a Prince-like fashion, sure to inspire a round of booty shaking. Get on the floor!

Dutchican Soul (Strictly Rhythm) – “Great release and dope remixes. Will support.”
Col Lawton (Deep Fix Recordings) – “Lots of funk and niceness on this single. It’s very good, I’ll be supporting.”
Tom Lown (Lucky Sun Recordings) – “Groovy release. Digging the Ralph Myerz Dub.”
Lee Jones (Buslife) – “This is a great single. It’s hard to choose a favorite to be honest.”
Andrew Emil (Glenview Records) – “Super solid single! Third Attempt Remix is sublime.”
Souls of Man (Finger Lickin’ Records) – “Solid. Unpredictable. I like this VERY much.”
Daz-I-Kue (Future Soul Records) – “The boogie vibe sends me. Nice work.”
Jorge Font (Audio Nights radio show) – “Good vibes for this summer.”
Graeme Park (Graeme Park Radio Show) – “Whoa! This is superb! Such a great vibe.”
Taigo Onez (Beng Le’ Dex) – “So hard to pick a favorite here. This is such a wonderful release.”

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

Anatoly Ice - Still Searching (Anatoly Ice / Symphonic Distribution)

Still Searching is the new album from Anatoly Ice, a Moscow-based DJ who combines a shared love of hip hop, breakbeats, funk, and soul into his musical stew. A love crate digging for rare 45s, obscure rhythms from around the world, and crucial, head-nodding beats fuels Anatoly as he pilots his Funk and Beyond parties and radio show – running for more than ten years – and a distinctive production style. Still Searching transmits this in spades, delivering 17 cool cuts running the gamut from instrumental hip hop, live improvisations, abstract soundscapes, and four key tracks featuring singer, poet, and flute player Iskra.

The album opens with the funky “Happy My Love,” feeling like a jazz-funk radio staple from the ’70s. Iskra’s lovely, soulful vocals are in Russian, adding to the track’s unique vibe. Other highlights include the soaring “Now Is The Time,” “Church” with its chunky drum part and gritty instrumentation, the spaghetti-trip hop style of “My Mind At Play,” and “Real Woman” with its bluesy technique and dope scratches. Anatoly Ice has hit gold with Still Searching, proving he’s a true player on the global beat-maker scene.

Double-D (Radio X) – “Yo – deep down raw soul over there.”
Ben Mono (Undertones Gang) – “Great and outstanding release.”
Danny Masure (Spring Strut) – “Fantastic funky soul with a boom-bap twist.”
Quincy Jointz (Timewarp Music Radio Show) – Some wicked beats. My favorite is ‘I Know The Way’. Damn funky tune!”
Piiit (Septante Sept) – “Russian Soul? Wtf? Excellent!”
David Bassin (Freefall weekly radio show) – “Meaty and beaty!”
Andreas Kinzl (Aromabar) – “Strong stuff with attitude.”
DJ Soulist (What The Funk) – “Love the mood of this. Soulful beats here!”
Igor Marijuan (Ibiza Sonica FM) – “Amazing release. 5 stars.”
Diesler (A Little Something Radio) – “Sublime grooves from the Moscow maestro.”
DJ Fonetik (Ghettobazaar blog) – “I know the way is great with it’s Russian vocals. It takes me back to old Eastern pop songs and soundtracks.”

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