Handmade Recordings is a San Francisco-based label embracing a DIY ethic and its city’s history of mixing and matching electronic music styles. The label had its beginnings within the Subculture parties dating back to the year 2000. These parties were known for booking DJs of differing styles, with house, electro-influenced sounds, and techno all sharing time in the booth. As the label developed, its founders strove to capture this diversity, mix it with an old school aesthetic, and apply it to a digital label. With almost monthly releases issued for over a year, Handmade Recordings is on its way to becoming an established staple of the west coast house music scene.
This latest sampler features two bay area producers from deep within the label’s stable: Braulio Motus and Michael Ruris. “Upside Down" is Braulio Motus’s fifth track for the Handmade label, and the San Francisco-via-New York-via-Philippines producer is certainly on the rise with his down-and-dirty, bass-heavy tech-house cuts. Featuring a hearty rhythm track and an imposing bass line growl, Braulio’s cut bounces with airy percussion flourishes, phased-out breakdowns, and a forceful vocal sample repeating the song’s title. There’s also a Dub of the track which mostly leaves out the vocal sample in favor of a focus on the cut’s indomitable rhythm. MIchael Ruris is up next, coming off the acclaim of his “Glow” single from the previous Handmade release. “Rev Combi (I Got You)" is led by a unique plucked-style melodic sound, complimented with organ stabs, quick guitar hits, and echoed whispers. A bit techier than Michael’s previous material, the cut has a definite wild side with a strange, almost theremin-like solo and subtle, sung vocals also entering the sonic fray. It’s a unique track sure to turn heads on the dance floor when inserted into a DJ’s set.
Giom - “‘Upside Down’ … nice work.”
Tommy Largo - “Cool EP, ‘Upside Down’ is my pick.”
Robert Owens - “‘Rev Combi (I Got You)’ … great track, I love it!”
Al Bradley (3am Recordings) - “Ace vibes. The dub of ‘Upside Down’ is wicked, but the pick for me here is ‘Rev Combi (I Got You).’ Superb, grooving house!”
Rob Pearson (Evasive Records) - “‘Upside Down’ vocal and dub are both great for me. Support on these!”
Raymundo Rodriguez - “”Rev Combi (I Got You)’ … nice sound and vibe.”
DJ Nova (Rodon FM, Greece) - “Braulio’s Motus ”Upside Down’ is wicked! Deep funk pusher!”
Murray Richardson - “Love ‘Rev Combi (I Got You)’ … killer!”
Craig Fraser (Special Housin’ Association) - “Very cool pack. Both tracks sound raw but fresh, particularly ‘Upside Down’ which has an underground anthem vibe about it.”
Jon Silva (Pesto Music) - “‘Upside Down’ … dirty and filthy just the way I like my tunes.”
Velanche (Urban Landscapes) - “The vocal version of ‘Upside Down’ is a really strong track for me; digging the percussive interplay. Can’t wait to mix that in. ‘Rev Combi (I Got You)’ is also a solid track.”
Available now from Juno Download and Beatport.
Underground Dance Music Promotion