For its latest release, Macedonian house music label Artefact Records looks to Copenhagen and up-and-coming Danish producer JayCeeL. Born Johnni Christensen, JayCeeL started seriously exploring house music production just a few years ago after time spent working on edits and experimenting with different production styles. His tracks were placed online and impressed those who heard, being quickly snatched up by the likes of Loving Records and Lantus Recordings for JayCeeL’s previous EP releases. Artefact has now stepped into the fray, giving JayCeeL his debut release for the label in the form of the Back To Disco EP. As the title implies, the EP shows JayCeeL’s affinity for disco sounds as the tracks all display proper feel-good, late night party vibes. “Back To Disco" is a slinky mid-tempo disco groover, with snappy breaks, soaring strings, and overlaid vocal bits that welcome the summertime. "What’s It Gonna Be" is house music in a classic style, mixing a repeated male vocal motif over a driving bass line as lush pads and piano samples ride on top of rolling four-on-the-floor beats. JayCeeL also provides "The Sea Of Time,” a cut easily at home in deep house, disco, and soulful house circles. Gentle electric piano chords and emotive strings add melody over the handclap beats as a few choice soulful vocal bits lift the track to something truly special. The EP also includes a couple of remix interpretations of “Back To Disco” by some of Artefact’s in-house talent. Freaky Funk, a regular contributor to the Artefact catalog, tackles “Back To Disco” with an uplifting version that places the track squarely among prime time club fare. Next up is Macedonian producer Pavle Vasiljevic making his Artefact debut with his Go Deeper mix of “Back To Disco.” Pavle’s version features expressive keys and vocal hits over a punchy rhythm section, solidly building in just the right places. These five cuts make up another fine set from Artefact Records featuring promising artists that definitely shouldn’t be ignored.
Marques Wyatt - “Tight!”
CJ Mackintosh - “I love ‘The Sea Of Time.’”
Giom (Lost My Dog) - “The Pavle Vasiljevic remix is for me.”
Graeme Park - “Lovely!”
John Mateo (Mateo & Matos) - “Yeah! Liking this.”
Groove Assassin - “‘Back to Disco’ and ’ The Sea of Time’ are both really nice. Supporting these!”
Fine Cut Bodies - “Love the disco vibes mixed with modern groovy house.”
Christos Kedras (Kapa Music) - “Wow, this EP is powerful. I’m feeling the original ‘Back To Disco’ and also ‘What’s It Gonna Be.’ They will both get love from me.”
Bruce Tantum (TimeOut NY) - “Really loving all of these - and ‘The Sea of Time’ is a total gem! Lovely work all around.”
Norbert Borchers (House Sound Of Hamburg) - “Sweet disco house vibes … yes, I love this sh*t!”
Fresh 27 (The Future Is Fresh Radio Show) - “Loving all the original mixes but I think ‘What’s It Gonna Be’ just wins out. Full support!”
Joe Castillo (Deep Twisted Roots Radio Show) - “Nice and smooth updated disco. Great work.”
Michael Fossati (Spirit Of House) - “The laidback ‘The Sea Of Time’ is the one thanks to smooth rhythms, luscious keys, and cool vocal snippets.”
Al Bradley (3am Recordings) - “All three originals are outstanding here - real quality in the vibes and an ‘authentic disco’ feel, rather than the usual filtered / wah-wah guitar type disco fodder, which isn’t really disco at all! ‘Back To Disco’ is stunning, like it was found in a vault from the Paradise Garage, wicked. The remixes are cool too, Pavle doing the business with his deeper groove, but both are great. Top EP all round!”
Also supported by Robert Owens, EMan, Horse Meat Disco, Groove Junkies, Murray Richardson, Vincent Kwok, Benji Candelario, Tommy Largo, Nico De Ceglia, DJ Harri (Sub Club), Blacksoul, DJ Linus, Manuel Sahagun, and Doc Link.
Available now from Juno Download and Beatport.