Ursula 1000 - Movin' To The Sound (Insect Queen Music)

Ursula 1000 is the alter ego of Alex Gimeno, a producer, DJ, and multi-instrumentalist based in Brooklyn, New York. He has released eight albums and mix sessions that take listeners on a retro-futuristic journey of exotic grooves and electronic disco funk. He has performed in over 30 countries, collaborated with notable artists such as Fred Schneider of The B52s, Lady Bunny, and Puddles Pity Party, and has had his music featured in various TV shows, ads, and even the Olympics.

Now Ursula 1000 pulls out his dusty smiley face shirt from the closet and goes full-on 303 acid house squelch and jacking 808 grooves for this new single. "Movin' 2 The Sound" showcases Ursula 1000's signature exotic dreaminess, with elements of acid house, throbbing sequencers, and pumping hip-house action. The Berlin-based duo Acid Jerks provided the first remix, taking the acid house business to peak-time bliss. Meanwhile, Fort Knox Five, a leading force in the international funk and breaks scene, focused on electro vibes and b-boy action. Finally, Red Laser Records duo Il Bosco & Metrodome, also known as DJ Absolutely Shit, cranked up the bass, bleeps, and breaks to 11, bringing rave-ready, time-stretching, day-glo dancefloor destruction. This whole single's a trip!

Tyler Stadius (Deepen) – “Yeah, love this! Never get tired of good acid.”
Frank Peisker (Bureau45 Agency) – “Killer! The dancefloor will be on fire with this retro electro smasher with a modern twist.”
Psycho-Jones (Kater Blau) – “This is Ursula 2023. Love it very much.”
Shan Frenzie (2SER FM) – “Love the funk edge on the acid grooves.”
BMD (XLNT) – “As expected, Fort Knox 5 have nailed it. Great remix.”
Steve ‘Griffo’ Griffiths (Subspace Radio Show) – “As a big fan of Acid Jerks, I was stoked to receive this. Muscular acid house vibes that transport me back to 86.”

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

Ursula 1000 feat. Yuuko Sings - Life Is So Beautiful (Insect Queen Music)

Ursula 1000’s fascination with Japan didn’t just stop with his love of Shibuya-kei and its massive influence on his sound's DNA. City Pop, that sub-genre of Japanese music from the late '70s and into the '80s that blended synth pop, soft rock, boogie, and jazz funk is something Ursula truly digs but never explored in his productions … until now. Japan’s Yuuko Sings, who Ursula discovered doing vocals for English art rock group Django Django, is an ideal fit for this collaboration. She’s sung on tracks for anime soundtracks and J-pop, plus she has a killer rap style to boot! "Life Is So Beautiful" is what emerged from this meeting of minds. Wrapped up in a bundle of bossa nova chords, tropical daytime nu disco beats, and that timeless City Pop sheen, Ursula and Yuuko have concocted the perfect summer cocktail. All this song needs is a pineapple wedge and a parasol.

Bill Speakman (Rhythm & Culture) – “I have been dying to hear this! The influences listed here blend so seamlessly and it still has that distinct Ursula 1000 vibe. Inspiring and perfectly timed with the recent explosion of interest in City Pop. A favorite for sure.”
Rory Hoy (Super Hi-Fi) – “This is amazing!”
Stevie Kotey (Chicken Lips) – “This is superb. Fantastic production.”
Steve / Fort Knox Five (Fort Knox Recordings) – “A delicious combo of sugary vocals and bubbly beats!”
Jon Wesley (Music Goes On Radio Show) – “Love it! Ursula always sounds so fresh. Great production, vibes and the tempo is perfect. I'll be playing this a lot.”
Gina Calicura (KALX 90.7) – “Immediately fell into a state of utter bliss less than halfway through this incredibly inviting track. It got me! The elements all coalesce into a perfect whole… it’s like good medicine! Ursula 1000 has crafted something very powerful here. This track gently - and gorgeously - beckons listeners to drop whatever it is they’re doing and just dance. Cannot wait to spin this on a show. So perfect!”

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

Vested Soul - Love Trap (Super Hi-Fi Recordings)

The eclectically electric Vested Soul strike again with another double A-side single of sleekly designed slinky deep house. The party starts with "Love Trap," a down-and-dirty lovemaking anthem that features bubbling arpeggiations, cooing vocal phrases, and a glittering sonic sphere in the shape of a giant disco ball. Thomas Blondet (Rhythm & Culture) lays down some smooth magic on the remix, amassing a massive bass line that'll levitate dancers at least two generous inches off the dancefloor.

Flip the digital wax for "Set Piece," opening in a contemplative mood with popping percussion and swirly pads. Once the bass and filtered chord stabs hit, it's off to the boogie zone. There's a definite bounce per ounce in Vested Soul's groove cooler. Nu-disco legend and the Insect Queen man himself Ursula 1000 grabs "Set Piece" by the sleeve and rearranges its outfit in a new fashion. And that fashion draws upon synth-pop of the '80s, funky house of the '90s, and the sublime punchiness of modern times. It's a cornucopia of delicious vibes, all coming strong from Vested Soul and friends.

Richard Dorfmeister (Kruder & Dorfmeister) – “Top Summer tune!”
Rusty (All Good Funk Alliance) – “Loving these late night rippers. Will be playting them for sure.”
Jon Fugler (Fluke) – “Pretty sure the sound of summer is in there somewhere - something I fully endorse - lovely.”
Bruce Tantum (DJ Mag) – “Nicely chilled house, perfect for the hot-weather months - loving both originals and both remixes.”
Quincy Jointz (Timewarp Music Radio Show) – “Hot release. All tunes and versions are winners, it’s hard to choose a favorite.”
Karem Gokmen (Dubmission) – “Originals are top notch, and both remixes are rather complimentary to the originals - a proper double single!”

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

Ursula 1000 - The Glass Dragon (Insect Queen Music)

New York producer Ursula 1000 is known for his signature retro-future electronic dance fusions, but it's less known that he started off as a jungle and drum 'n' bass DJ during the scene's golden era in the early '90s. For Insect Queen Music's first release of 2023, Ursula 1000 decided to pay homage to some favorite elements of that period by mixing that sound with what he thinks is the perfect theme: classic martial arts movie vibes!

Early inspirations for Ursula 1000 were producers like J. Saul Kane's proto-trip hop stylings in Depth Charge and Photek's initial series of 12"s. Both producers often deployed the sound of whizzing shuriken throwing stars, whooshing swords, high-flying kicks, and karate chops for percussive hits. One should also mention the amazing Wu-Tang Clan, who also championed this recipe. With this sound palette in mind, Ursula 1000 has created the ultimate kung fu meets spy movie suspense thriller. Who is and what is … "The Glass Dragon"?

Andy Cerutti (Fort Knox Recordings) – “REWIND & come again … This is wicked, nice beats & fun groove. Let’s go!”
Kassi (Stereo de Luxe) – “Refreshing funky beats and excellent vintage martial arts vibes.”
DJ Moneyshot (The Allergies) – “Hi-Yah! Dope little cut of slickly sliced Shaolin soul samples for all you kung-fools to get busy with.”
Morphososis (NSB Radio) – “Yep! Will be supporting this fo sho!”
Mikebee (Vinyl Dreams) – “Nice vibe, definitely sounds like a throwback to 1997 jazzy D&B, not a bad thing at all.”
mister (Green Arrow Radio Show) – “Can’t break this Glass Dragon down. The entire piece is da FUNK.”

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