Kartech - Larrisa (Wind Horse Records)

Wind Horse Records is pleased to unveil "Larrisa", its second release from the New Delhi-based artist Kartech. Born as Thakur Kartik, Kartech is an innovative mix engineer and producer who is known in the Indian house music scene for walking his own path and playing by his own rules. His musical background, technical knowledge, and talent as a DJ have done their part in influencing the Wind Horse sound over the years. On "Larrisa", Kartech is joined by a quartet of acclaimed remixers: India-based producers Llewellyn Hilt and Aaryan as well as Alvaro Hylander and City Soul Project from Europe.

"Larrisa", which made its first appearance on the Wind Horse Five Year Anniversary Sampler, is a groovy deep house track characterized by crisp rhythms, reverb-soaked synth hits, and a rumbling bass line riding alongside calming, melodic chords. These are split apart to a moving effect in a particularly gorgeous mid-track breakdown. The single's b-side, "Never Know How", takes things darker and into the psychedelic zone, presenting a bit of twisted percussion and an exciting interplay between a massive bass synth and Kartech's signature chord-play. This cut really comes alive.

The esteemed team of remixers tackle "Larrisa" with diverse and DJ-ready interpretations. Prolific Denmark-via-Spain producer Alvaro Hylander (DeepWit Recordings) presents a hypnotic version that pulses and booms as it draws one in, while UK duo City Soul Project (City Soul Recordings) turn up the swing and add some soulful vocal hits for a cool rework that only loosely references the original. Representing the Indian side of the Wind Horse family, Llewellyn Hilt delivers a sparser but much spacier remix of "Larrisa" that is introduced with a piercing kick drum, while Aaryan's version boasts bin-shaking sub-bass and intricate layers of percussion, memorably completing this club-primed package.

Kartech's "Larrisa" continues Wind Horse Records' forward momentum, having just eclipsed five years of high quality releases. With fine Indian talent as well as global inspirations on board, "Larrisa" sets the tone for the label's exceptional place in the deep house ecosystem.

Nick Warren - "Lovely release … all mixes are excellent."
Toomy Disco (Kitsuné / Under The Shade) - "Superb EP! These deep vibes are making me dance."
Inland Knights - "I'm digging the Alvaro Hylander remix."
Vanilla Ace - "The City Soul Project remix for me."
Motorcitysoul (Cocoon) - "The Alvaro Hylander remix is super sexy."
Sumsuch (Colour and Pitch / Mega Jawns) - "The original of 'Larrisa' … all the way baby! Aaryan's remix is tidy, too."
SlanG (Spring Tube / Movement) - "'Never Know How' is the one for me."
Craig Stewart (Montana & Stewart / DCSTrax) - "Alvaro Hylander's remix for me … very tasty."
Vincent Kwok - "This is great deep house."
Dave Mayer (Strictly Rhythm / Hardsoul) - "I love 'Larrisa'! Great remixes, too."
Pathaan (Globetronica) - "Super release!"
Al Bradley (3am Recordings) - "Superb stuff … it's difficult to pick one over another here as all are strong. A great pack all round, as to be expected from Wind Horse."
Jamie Topham (CDPool) - "A class original cut and a welcome return for Wind Horse and Kartech. A cool set of mixes on offer, but it's the City Soul Project guys who take the honours from me on this occasion."
Michael Fossati (Spirit of House) - "Wicked wicked remix by City Soul Project."
DJ Nova (Rodon FM, Greece) - "The deep, mellow, and ethereal sound of Alvaro Hylander remix is really solid."
DJ Di Costa (MoodyLushious Influences) - "Flawless release. Both original productions are stunning. As for the remixes of 'Larissa', I think this quartet of remixers has outdone itself - ace work."

Available now from Beatport, Juno Download, and iTunes.

Asvajit - Wait A Minute (Wind Horse Records)

Wind Horse Records serves as a champion of India’s many talented resources for export to the outside world, all the while pioneering the deep house movement in its own country with releases, parties, and ground-breaking collaborations. Their newest release sees the label pairing up with an artist not far removed from India and of a similar mindset. Asvajit, a hardworking producer, label owner, and party thrower from Sri Lanka, has made a name for himself in and outside of his country through the always quality Bang Bang collective events and Jambutek Recordings platform which mirrors its independent underground artists. As a producer he has seen success molding the dub, house, and techno sounds to his own sensibilities, releasing on an assortment of international labels. Asvajit has received a global reception often proceeded by acclaim, like with his underground steamrolling collaboration with Soul Phiction, "Waran Dub".

Asvajit's take on the world-influenced deep house and tech sensibilities Wind Horse has defined itself by comes in chunky form. "Wait A Minute" places exotic leads, percussion, and ambience over a punchy groove, then shakes it up with nu-disco flair. It comes with all the bells and whistles, but heavy with tech upgrades. Its companion track, "Laptodyctalycus", also features a powerful backbone in the kick and bass departments and makes for a more emotionally charged and somber piece melodically. It contrasts the natural world of bird song with glitchy synthesized sounds to provide a lush landscape that can't be completely traversed with just one listen.

As is part of Wind Horse's charm, the cast of remixers is carefully crafted from all corners of the world. Steve Mill is a Greek-born Londoner with the backing of New Jersey's house master Kerri Chandler as part of the Madhouse Records family. To have that kind of pillar in support is a stamp of the highest 'house scene' approval and Mill's remix of "Wait A Minute" shows it. Made to dance, it features body-jacking snares, a full-bodied bass line, and plenty of mentally stimulating pops and clicks. In another flawless reworking of the source material, California's Sparkinzi turns "Laptodyctalycus" into a mesmerizing labyrinth of pianos and pads that winds itself into a deep acid trip. Finally, the trans-dimensional Indian artist Aaryan puts his vision to work creating an equally hypnotic and orchestrally rich rendition of "Laptodyctalycus”. All of this makes for another Wind Horse Records release for the ages.

Jaymz Nylon (Nylon Recordings) - “‘Wait A Minute’ has that bounce…”
Hollis P Monroe - "The original and Aaryan's remix do it for me."
Darin Epsilon (Perfecto / Baroque) - "Good remixes here by Steve Mill and Sparkinzi."
Jay West (Candy Music / Off Recordings) - “Steve Mill nailed it!”
Al Bradley (3am Recordings / Fabric) - “I’m loving this … both originals sparkle with high-end deepness and wicked bass vibes, but Sparkinzi turns in the cut for me here. I love the flow and acid elements … superb stuff.”
Pete Williams (Natural Rhythm) - “Aaryan’s remix is a smooth, tropical dream.”
Matt Prehn (Oh So Coy / Large Music) - “He smashed the groove on ‘Wait A Minute’ with super chunky production. I like Steve Mill’s different remix vibe too … good stuff!”
Distant People (SSRadio / Foliage) - “Steve Mill remix of ‘Wait A Minute’ has a nice elastic bass line … funky and deep.”
Eric Davenport (Guesthouse / Various Club) - “Tracks that take you on a ride. Asvajit has a unique arrangement style all to his own … dig it.”
Kohra (Qilla Records / Sui Generiz) - “Nice work from Asvajit here … I’m also digging Aaryan's deep interpretation!”
Leri Ahel (Mutant Disco Radio Show) - “Sparkinzi's Deep Tech Soul Remix of ‘Laptodyctalycus’ stands out, but love original too.”
Tyler Stadius (Deepsite / Dialtone Records) - “Another excellent release from Wind Horse! Pure class.”
Adnan Sharif (D-Edge / PR2 Recordings) - "Deep feelings for that dance floor."
Sam Hopkins (AccuRadio, Chicago) - “The original mix of ‘Wait a Minute’ is killer … I love the subtle use of Asian samples.”
xyddhartha (Digital Gathering Radio Show, India) - “Wind Horse Records is turning into one of my favorite Indian labels … such variety of vibes.”
Jamie Topham (CD Pool) - “Once again the quality shines through on a Wind Horse release. Asjavit and company provide a five-some of lush deep / tech sounds.”
DJ Nova (Rodon FM, Greece) - "What else? The evergreen sound of acid, of course, Sparkinzi's Deep Tech Soul Remix of 'Laptodyctalycus' is more juicy than an orange!"
Kadabra (House Hookup Radio Show) - “Wind Horse has finished 2014 incredibly strong. I love the deep acid groove of Sparkinzi’s mix.”

Available now from Beatport and Juno Download.