Converge+ - Prana / Aqua (Eighth Dimension Records)

Eighth Dimension’s Blue Label Series, curated by Q-Burns Abstract Message, deftly presents its third issue, this time featuring Japanese house/techno duo Converge+. Their tracks fell into the label’s lap via unsolicited demo (often the most nefarious kind) and the Eighth Dimension team were immediately enraptured by Converge+’s sleek and futuristic house music sound. Converge+ are comprised of two seasoned DJs, Takashi Sasaki and DJ ENDO, who create spacious and warm house music tracks with subtle flavors of delicious, deep techno. Their previous releases have found homes with the likes of King Street Sounds, Barouque Records, and Nite Grooves. Now Eighth Dimension is pleased to offer a pair of new tracks from Converge+ complete with top notch remixes from our friends Joshua Iz and Funk Shuei

First off there’s “Prana,” a flowing deep house track filled with synthesized swells and digital sighs, all laid on top of a funkily synchronized rhythm. It’s like some fuzzy dream realized for the dance-floor. Vital life, indeed. Joshua Iz immediately came to mind as “Prana“‘s remix applicator, and he took a quick break from busy dealings with his own Vizual Records imprint to deliver the stylish version heard here. It’s a classic Joshua Iz production complete with his trademark combination of hypno-beats, layered key stabs, and bass line bounce. Ten satisfying minutes of digital disco fury. 

Converge+’s second cut, “Aqua,” is a melody-treated electronic groover recalling the early days of deep house such as found on the renowned Balance label. Bell-like patterns resonate on top as lush, filtered pads and a rolling low end round out the sonic sphere. It’s a glorious piece of watery house music. On the remix tip Eighth Dimension looked south of the border and to its Mexican friends in Funk Shuei, proprietors of the quickly rising Dialtone label. Their rework takes a sharp left turn from the original “Aqua,” using inspiration from the rhythm to elicit a punchy after-hours house treatment that’s slightly stripped back and driven by a Chicago shuffle. A subtle female voice enters the zone and the repetitious bell sounds take on a more ominous overtone. 

This quartet of tracks is undeniably free of filler, making the contribution of Japan’s Converge+ to Eighth Dimension’s Blue Label Series one to stay locked in the virtual DJ crate.

Justin Harris (Freaks) - “Sick! Joshua Iz Mix is especially super.”
DJ Three (Hallucination Limited) - “Both original tracks are in rotation!”
Diesel (X-Press 2) - “Will support at both club and radio at Ministry of Sound!”
Miles Maeda - “This makes a cosmic connection of Carl Sagan proportions.”
Nikola Baytala - “Joshua Iz on a hot one … watch out, techno dancers!”
Tommy Largo (Lost My Dog) - “Cool tunes. Digging the Funk Shuei Remix the most.”
Chris Fortier (Fade) - “The Joshua Iz mix is ace!”
Orde Meikle (Slam / Soma) - “Nice EP. Will be trying this out.”
Inland Knights - “Funk Shuei Remix is my pick here … cool.”
Ulysses (Neurotic Drum Band) - “I love the crazy techno energy of Josh’s mix best, though all four tracks are cool.”
Joshua Heath (Golden State) - “Definitely some unique sounds here. The Funk Shuei Mix for me.”
Mark Farina - “Iz Dope!”

Available now from Beatport