Cohuna Beatz - ODC (B.A.B.A. Records)

Cohuna Beatz is Franz Johann, a producer and DJ based out of Vienna specializing in a slinky style of downtempo dub-electro-funk. ODC (standing for ‘Oberwart Downbeat Center’) is a 12-track album that fully expresses the Cohuna Beatz sound. The grooves are gritty and pulsing throughout, with buzzing synthesizer melodies and techy blasts of funk sending vibes to smoky, strobe-lit dance floors. These beats are extra-chunky, from the psychedelic dopeness of “Down Unter” to the mid-tempo techno throwback of “Talking Bout Love” to the ominous but sexy grind of “Nitz Rebb Garage.” It’s all beaming out of Batusim Studio Oberwart and coming at you from Franz Johann’s B.A.B.A. Records imprint. Listen loosely and feel that Vienna groove!

Kid Loco (Tromolo Records) – “Brilliant and fantastic.”
Makossa (Luv Lite Recordings) – “This is a great album.”
DJ Sabo (Sol Selectas) – “All The Fellows In the House is the one for me.”
Rune Lindbæk (Drum Island Records) – “Cool Project. Tigerauge In Dub for me here.”
DJ Mark Cooper (Bedford Falls Players) – “Loving this! Will play on my radio show.”
Redstickman (The Ambient Mafia) – “Holy crap, I have a new favorite artist!”
Lotek (The Shake) – “Hype! Loving this gritty but crisp lower bpm style here.”
Jon Fugler (XLNT Radio Show) – “Down Under has legs, so does Nitz Rebb Garage – but Joga Bola is firkin awesome!”

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

Klaus Benedek - At The Shore (fortunea)

This summer fortunea head Klaus Benedek returns with a deep and moody two track single.

“At The Shore” is featured on the A-side, and it’s a fitting piece for sunset and after-hours sessions. The track evokes nostalgic memories of a simpler, laid-back, and peaceful time on the beach. A smooth guitar is the key element as the track builds up to a break that dives into the waves of the ocean. Siren-song vocal cut ups and a beautiful, haunting pad splash through the mix, providing the icing on the cake.

The B-side — though similar in vibe to the title track -- has a more somber feeling to it. “South Bronx Depression” reflects the mood of the troubled New York neighborhood during the ‘70s and ‘80s. A bombastic jazz fanfare has been sampled, filtered, chopped, and transformed as the track’s hook. Eerie synthesizer stings make an entrance as a narrator tells his story.

The vinyl is limited to 300 copies. Mastered by Patrick Pulsinger.

Vanilla Ace (Club Sweat, Elrow) – “Cool, laid back grooves.”
Tensnake (Mirau / Defected) – “Lovely tunes!”
Dutchican Soul (Salted Music) - “Both tracks are fire!”
Pete Williams (Natural Rhythm) “South Bronx Depression is an odyssey.”
Andrew Emil (Broadway & Wilson) – “Love this release.”
Sumsuch (Colour and Pitch) – “Gorgeous.”
DJ Osric (Black and Blue Show, Perth) – “Klaus is quality. I like this release a lot.”
Richie Hartness (UM – syndicated radio show) – “Enjoyed the funky swagger to this terrace affair.”
Hober Mallow (Mighty Reel, Sydney) – “Absolutely top shelf house. Inspiring production.”
Simon Kirk (Stag Beetle Radio Show) - “Excellent release from Klaus. South Bronx Depression is superb!”

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

Nick Hanzo - Last Day, Miracle! (forTunea)

The never-at-rest fortunea label digs deeper into the Viennese scene to uncover a new EP from city denizen Nick Hanzo. In addition to his appearance on the fortunea 10 compilation, Nick has been active with Austrian club night Schmusesalon, the audio-visual collective Wiener Endorphine, and his own Belly Dance Services with his partner in crime and collaborator, Yaman. The evocatively titled Last Day, Miracle! EP is his full debut for fortunea and fits right in with four tracks of deep and unique sounds. “20:45” opens the EP with magical tones suitable for casting a spell on the dance floor. Jazzy keys and analog pads synergize with crisp rhythms in beautiful harmony. “Caroline” goes deeper with its ghostly vocal, splashes of guitar, and steady mid-tempo bump. “Your So, …” features layers of Rhodes riffs over snappy beats and vocal teases throughout. The EP closes with the title track, loosening a cut-up Chicago feel, and interspersed with curious breakdowns and moonlit samples. Indeed, it’s another top release from the reliable fortunea crew.

Dutchican Soul (Salted Music) – “Wow! Fresh sounds. I love the vibe on all of these.”
Mark Mac (The Sounds Collective) – “Very cool release guys, top vibes.”
Joey Silvero / Distant People (Seamless) – “The sound here is just fantastic. The contrast of the drums, chords and general feel is something else.”
Chris Udoh (Tigerhook) – “Nice vibe on this one.”
Billy Butler (247 House Records) – “These are really nice, carefully shaped tunes.”
Steve ‘Griffo’ Griffiths (Freak Da Funk) – “A tasty Viennese whirl of an EP.”
DJ Osric (Black and Blue Show) – “Quality house music that’s easy on the ears, heavy on the vibe.”
DJ Firefly (Couch Dancing) – “Love the jazzy vibes!”
Sparatikness (Synkotik) – “Sooooo Freaking Goooood!”
Pat Lezizmo (Conya Records) – “There is a nice overall vibe to this EP. Nice production, warm smooth atmosphere, and well produced.”

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

Various Artists - fortunea 10 (forTunea)

Austrian underground electronic imprint fortunea celebrates four years and ten releases with fortunea 10, a double 12” release featuring an octet of rising producers from the label family. fortunea has been pushing the deeper side of electronic dance music from Viennese and Upper Austrian talent and — as this compilation attests — this scene is thriving and deserving of dance floor attention.

Jon Gravy (Step Back Trax) opens the release with Prescription-influenced “Soul Groove,” followed by Peletronic’s deep, stabby, and appropriately named “Raw Culture.” Klaus Benedek (Piston, TNZBR) hypnotically ramps things up with “The Power Of Sweat” and HANZO (Club Celeste) presents “Veni Vide,” a chuggy late night wonder. The second half begins with “Do It Over” by Alex Kolodziej (Soul Shift, Czak Recordings) which is a funky bass and sax-led number, and is followed by Roman Rauch & Precious K. together as Twinpeaks (Secret Crunch Records, Janefondas) with “Here To Stay”, a track that will delightfully transport the nightclub back in time. LP & Johann Destroy are next with the acidy “Wax Mining,” and Lee Stevens (Luv Shack Records) closes out this top notch compilation with a sunny and chilled deep house tune titled “Magharibi.”

fortunea 10 was mastered by Patrick Pulsinger and the vinyl is limited to 300 copies.

Dutchican Soul (Strictly Rhythm) – “Here To Stay and Magharibi are my favorites here.”
Rise Ashen (Balanced Records) – “Very nice sounds here. Looking forward to absorbing this and spreading to the dancefloor.”
Edground (Grooveland Music) – “Very nice release, great tracks here.”
Black Mighty Wax (Irma Records) – “There’s a lot to play here. I’ll be a fan of forTunea from now on.”
Fernando (Redux Records) – “Raw Culture sound very good.”
Pat Lezizmo (Conya Records) – “Great package with real house cuts. I’m digging the Peletronic track a lot.”
Sean-Michael Yoder (Ibiza Voice) – “Nice compilation, cool label.”
Daryl Dee (The Chewb Radio Station) – “Top work guys! What a selection, full support.”
Hober Mallow (Might Reel, Sydney) – “Classy sounds right through. There's a soul and energy to these I really like, and it's hard to find. Thanks for the beautiful music.”
DJ Osric (Black and Blue Show) – “Oh this is just wonderful. Must have been tough narrowing the field down to 8 but what a selection! A job well done and more reason why the fortunea imprint will continue to make big strides.”

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

Limited edition 2x12” Vinyl available from: Bandcamp.