Handmade Records has picked up Ato Rodriguez, a new artist from Madrid, Spain. Further fueling an early passion for music from his time spent at a young age enrolled in the conservatory, Ato eventually solidified his interest in electronic music by way of late '90s Madrid clubs. Over a decade of Ato honing his skills behind the decks has informed his very personal production style with clear influences from tried and true North American sounds peaking at the end of the '90s and beginning of the noughties. These moments in time are captured by his blend of house, funk, disco, and electro, all molded to today's pace whether solo or as half of Photone74.
His debut release for the label, "Walking On Dholpur", incorporates NY house hand percussion, deep and dubby techno stabs, guttural bass, and elements of minimal sound design. It's in the short moments of energetic outburst, and in the lead synth keys later introduced, that one of Ato's inspirations -- Danny Tenaglia -- is made ever-so-clear. Braulio Motus, a Filipino-born turned NY and San Fran raver transplant, fattens up Ato's work in his remix, creating a slower, heavier, and more menacing groove. The other original on this release, "Greg Chicago", layers the same note sequence of different instruments on top of each other, all from the starting foundation of a bass line. As the track progresses, it builds with a piano that slowly disappears into a more synthetic lead. It balances out the release with a light playfulness.
Craig Stewart (Montana & Stewart / DCSTrax) - “‘Greg Chicago’ is absolutely stunning … great work!”
Orde Meikle (Slam / Soma) - "Cool grooves."
Tyree Cooper - “‘Greg Chicago’ is hot!”
Spesh (Jondi & Spesh / Loöq Records) - "Solid stuff. I can't wait to hear more from Ato Rodriguez."
Pete Williams (Natural Rhythm) - "Cool release. The Braulio Motus mix is super deep and dark, and 'Greg Chicago' has a funky old school groove."
Daniel Bortz (Suol) - “The Braulio Motus remix of ‘Walking On Dholpur’ is very nice!”
Stacey Pullen - “Cool … I’ll try out ‘Walking On Dholpur’.”
Nick Warren (Hope Recordings / Way Out West) - “A lovely record … support”
Matt Prehn (Oh So Coy Recordings) - “The Braulio Motus remix has a more housey vibe that should warm up floors nicely.”
Adam Collins (Euphoria Records) - “Late night vibe on the Braulio Motus remix.”
DJ Dennis (Selekta Recordings) - “‘Greg Chicago’ is simple, but super powerful … can't wait to drop this one on some heads!”
Louis Hughes (6th Sense Music) - “Nice, moody deep house music here.”
Deron Delgado (Paradise / Stompy) - “This is quality deep house!”
Aldrin (Zouk Club / One With Music) - “Diggin' the deep dubby groove of ‘Walking On Dholpur’.”
Jamie Topham (CDPool, UK) - “Feeling the slower, retro flavor of ‘Greg Chicago’ the most from this release.”
Leri Ahel (Mutant Disco Radio Show, Croatia) - “Solid release … love all three tracks.”
Bobi (City Radio 94.7 FM, Macedonia) - “Delectable slice of deep house coming with a selection of tasty remixes.”
Available now from Beatport and Juno Download.