Whiskey Pickle, the little central Texas imprint, has outdone themselves with a staggeringly ambitious output this year. Their massive schedule included next level releases from Gavin and Robbie Hardkiss, Walter Jones, and newcomers such as Xander Milne, Thomas, and Glass Slipper alongside remix contributions from heavy hitters like James Curd, Sleazy McQueen, Dead Rose Music Company, and Jake Childs.
As 2014 comes to a close, Whiskey Pickle wraps up its biggest year to date with a blinding release from Barcelona based producer Playless. The Spanish native -- born Alex Ferrer -- is no novice to the global scene and has an impressive resume under his previous alias Sidechains. Through releases on Ministry of Sound, Hed Kandi, Toolroom, Moda, and Sweat It Out, plus a residency at Barcelona’s most beloved venue, Razzmatazz, the young maestro has earned his stripes in an authentic and organic way: with hard work, perseverance, and talent.
Ferrer’s second artist release as Playless comes in the form of "How Much?" and "Juno". Both tracks brilliantly showcase his production style which blends forward thinking, modern techniques with the fun, carefree spirit of dance music’s humble beginnings. "How Much?" kicks things off with shuffling hats, shimmering piano riffs, MIDI saxophones, and bass drops … the good time vibes are palpable on this one. The B-side, "Juno", pays homage to the sweaty warehouse days of yore with a barrage of 909 percussion, cavernous reverb, and a bass line as 'sliky' as Steve Hurley.
Londoner-turned-Parisian and Vulture Music label admin Xander Milne makes his second appearance on Whiskey Pickle remixing "How Much?". He twists the wistful leanings of the original into a pumping, party-jam anthem. Crackling percussion and layers of hype-man vocals bring the energy to a boiling point at the massive, filtered piano breakdown. "Juno" gets a deep and heavy re-rub from Whiskey Pickle stalwart Abstrakt Audio on his 'Warehouse' Remix which transports the listener to a darkened dance floor somewhere on the south side of Chicago.
Beppe Gioia (Garage Family / Citydeep) - "Hot one!"
Quentin Harris (Strictly Rhythm / D:Vision) - “Like what I’ve heard so far.”
Marques Wyatt (Vanguard / Deep L.A.) - “Tight.”
Jason Hodges (Sampled Recordings) - "A dope floor jammer!"
CJ Mackintosh - "Loving 'Juno'!"
Ursula 1000 - "Hot."
Robbie Hardkiss - "The '90s are alive!"
Distant People (SSRadio / Foliage) - “‘How Much?’ is a stand out track, I like the retro feel and classic house groove.”
Craig Stewart (Montana & Stewart / DCSTrax) - “Original ‘Juno’ is very tasty.”
Chris Massey (Paper Recordings / Electriks) - “Hands in the lasers … white gloves, whistles, white doves…”
Ken Liu (Headset Recordings) - “Love it! All four are beasts! It’s hard to pick a favorite, but going to go with the Abstrakt Audio remix.”
Anna Wall (Future Disco / Tough Luck Records) - “‘90s fabulous flavors! ‘Juno’ is going to light up the dance floors.”
Still Rob G (Smoke n Mirrors / Om Records) - “Digging the Abstrakt Audio remix! ‘How Much?’ also has a nice classic house vibe.”
Keine Moniker (Electric Avenue) - “Big bassline on ‘Juno’ … love the original. ’How Much?’ definitely brings it back in time with that old disco diva house sound.”
Al Bradley (3am Recordings / Fabric) - “Digging the ‘Juno’ original here … really solid raw house beats.”
Duserock (Sleeper Cell / EMDM) - “I can not wait to drop the Xander Milne remix … love it!”
So Called Scumbags (Grin Recordings / Subliminal) - “On this!”
Bruce Tantum (Lowlife) - “Loving this, of course! Real-deal old-school vibes, but still perfect for the kind of dance floors that I most often find myself on.”
Jamie Topham (CDPool) - “The original of ‘How Much?’ could be straight out of the ‘90s Italo house scene … good stuff all round.”
Phonatics (Housesession Records / Yes Yes Records) - “Absolutely love this release.”
Michael Fossati (Spirit Of House Web Zine) - “Wicked wicked remix by Abstrakt Audio … it’s a prime-time late night weapon.”
Sam Hopkins (AccuRadio, Chicago) - “I love the original mix of ‘Juno’ - just pure fun - and ‘How Much?’ is another beast of a track.”
Bogdan Taran (DanceRadio.lv) - “Old school and modern at the same time.”
Deepshizzol (MyHouseYourHouse / DeepVibes) - "Now that's what I'm talking about … best four tracker of the year!"
Available now from Beatport and Juno Download.