Motion Control - Blåmuggost (Beatservice Records)

Celebrating thirty years in an industry as volatile as the music industry is no mean feat. One of Norway's finest electronic record labels, Beatservice Records, marks this massive milestone by unveiling a special EP featuring four unreleased tracks from Motion Control's treasured back catalog.

Bergen's Oddgeir Hvidsten began releasing music as part of the ambient trio Neural Network in the mid-1990s. A desire to create more rhythm-oriented productions led to the formation of the Motion Control moniker alongside fellow Neural Network member Lars Kristian Sande.

Their early releases were heavily influenced by the pioneering Detroit techno greats, with the first EPs on Universal Code and the subsequent Digits album on Beatservice Records in 1998 housing a swell of melodic, future-facing techno. Their sound then leaned into the realms of disco-infused house for the follow-up album Groove Tool.

Taking four unreleased tracks from their archives, the EP kicks off with "Blåmuggost." Created in connection with Motion Control's live show at the club Blå in Oslo for Beatservice Records's fifth anniversary in 1999, the track has remained a hidden treasure until now. Combining an EBM-engineered bassline and robo-disco undertones, cascading claps meet with rapid-fire synth squelches for a peak-time hit of interplanetary body music.

Next, "Hjul" rotates the listener's brain. A percussive techno head-scrambler that fuses crunched snares, dizzying synth loops, and pulsating bass grooves.

The flip side reveals a deeper facet of Motion Control's material. "Hysj" is an introspective, space-age dwelling, synapse-firing cut full of sweeping strings, interlocking percussive touches, and cosmic top lines: mood-setting, spell-casting brilliance.

Closing out the EP, the pace lowers for an intergalactic downtempo number titled "Conga Ambience." Grooving chillout electronics, laced with bouncing Arps, modulating pads, and metallic drum hits. This track is a homage to the eerie, shaky analog sounds of the late 1970s.

Steve ‘Griffo’ Griffiths (Fluid Radio Show) – “I heard this on SoundCloud and was like ‘yeah’. Now that I’ve heard it a few times on promo I’m ‘Hell Yeah!’ 99 out of 10.”
Rory Hoy (BigBeatTastic Radio Show) – “This is a really solid release. Supporting.”
Psycho-Jones (Kater Blau) – “I love it, thanks!”
Severino (HorseMeatDisco) – “Yessssss!”
Eric Shans (3Bridge Records) – “Nice old school ambient techno flavors.”
Simon Kirk (Proton Radio) – “Stunning EP. Really futuristic vibe throughout. Hjul is my top pick, the strings are beautiful.”

Available Now From: Beatport, Bandcamp, Apple Music, And Spotify.

Homero Espinosa - Dance to the Rhythm of Love (Marcell Marias Remix) [Viva Recordings]

Just a few months after it’s initial release and extremely warm reception, Homero Espinosa’s "Dance To The Rhythm Of Love&quot on Viva Recordings is back with a special remix treatment. Late in 2023, Viva took part in a special remix / producers contest with SEMPA (Seattle Electronic Music Producer Association), with a remix release being the first prize. After much deliberation, a final decision came down this - the Marcell Marias remix. Using the classic original elements while adding his own touch, Marcell takes us on a journey, with mesmerizing strings, hypnotic percussion and and a subtle yet effective acid line weaving throughout. This is the perfect enhancement and counterpart to the original release. Float away on this blissful remix. Get deep!

Hector Romero (Def Mix) – “Really like the groove on this remix. Nice one.”
Rory Hoy (Super Hi-Fi) – “Acid-o-riffic!”
Tom Lown (Lucky Sun) – “This is great late night / early morning business.”
Miguel Graca (Pronto Musique) – “This is dope & trippy.”
Frank Amodo (streamer) – “What a groover! Looking forward to adding this to my playlist.”
Michael Fossati (Spirit of House) – “Downright hypnotic.”

Available Now From: Bandcamp, Traxsource, Beatport, And Apple Music.

Ursula 1000 - Movin' To The Sound (Insect Queen Music)

Ursula 1000 is the alter ego of Alex Gimeno, a producer, DJ, and multi-instrumentalist based in Brooklyn, New York. He has released eight albums and mix sessions that take listeners on a retro-futuristic journey of exotic grooves and electronic disco funk. He has performed in over 30 countries, collaborated with notable artists such as Fred Schneider of The B52s, Lady Bunny, and Puddles Pity Party, and has had his music featured in various TV shows, ads, and even the Olympics.

Now Ursula 1000 pulls out his dusty smiley face shirt from the closet and goes full-on 303 acid house squelch and jacking 808 grooves for this new single. "Movin' 2 The Sound" showcases Ursula 1000's signature exotic dreaminess, with elements of acid house, throbbing sequencers, and pumping hip-house action. The Berlin-based duo Acid Jerks provided the first remix, taking the acid house business to peak-time bliss. Meanwhile, Fort Knox Five, a leading force in the international funk and breaks scene, focused on electro vibes and b-boy action. Finally, Red Laser Records duo Il Bosco & Metrodome, also known as DJ Absolutely Shit, cranked up the bass, bleeps, and breaks to 11, bringing rave-ready, time-stretching, day-glo dancefloor destruction. This whole single's a trip!

Tyler Stadius (Deepen) – “Yeah, love this! Never get tired of good acid.”
Frank Peisker (Bureau45 Agency) – “Killer! The dancefloor will be on fire with this retro electro smasher with a modern twist.”
Psycho-Jones (Kater Blau) – “This is Ursula 2023. Love it very much.”
Shan Frenzie (2SER FM) – “Love the funk edge on the acid grooves.”
BMD (XLNT) – “As expected, Fort Knox 5 have nailed it. Great remix.”
Steve ‘Griffo’ Griffiths (Subspace Radio Show) – “As a big fan of Acid Jerks, I was stoked to receive this. Muscular acid house vibes that transport me back to 86.”

Available Now From: Bandcamp, Beatport, Apple Music, And Spotify.

Darwin Chamber - Love's The Meditation EP (Rong Music)

After an extended disco nap, your friends at Rong Music have awoken from their slumber just in time to celebrate the 20th year of doing that Rong thing. How to celebrate? The only way they know how: put out a bunch of new music, unearth some weirdo classics, and DANCE.

This first new release of the anniversary party spotlights some bangers for the club, rave, ride, warehouse, the playa, or home disco. It features Darwin Chamber, the alter ego of Mark Greenfield. This legend of the early Rave scene has been making tracks for more than 30 years. Pioneering the West Coast Rave breakbeat and trip-hop sound, he got his start just like many, learning his craft on a cheap keyboard at a friend’s house and then taking his music to the streets. He’s done 100’s of shows from underground raves to The House of Blues, released music on Moonshine and Sony, and was one of the first dance acts to embrace the digital revolution.

The title track, "Love’s the Meditation," is a classy piece of melodic acid funk (?@$!wtf whatever that means), with an epic extended mix by Rong's fearless leader, DJ Spun. And there's a DJ Spun instrumental rub of Darwin Chamber's "Sugar, Sex, Magic" which one can easily imagine being embraced by the cool crop of newer techno DJs. The EP closes out with two potent Darwin Chamber originals, "Do You Feel the Love" and "303 and Me." Both have a classic acid HOUSE vibe that is the type of thing to elicit squeals of joy from the Rong camp. Enjoy!

Jon Fugler (Fluke) – “Loving this. Reach for the lasers!”
DJ H4L 9000 (Volumens Festival) – “Incredible EP! Killer & fresh tracks.”
Alien Tom (native Alien) – “Darwin Chamber. Um, yeah!”
Rory Hoy (Howlin’ Records) – “Do You Feel The Love is a banger!”
Jon Freer (Freer Sounds) – “It’s always paty time with Rong!”
Simon Kirk (Stag Beetle Radio Show) – “Fantastic breaks throughout. DJ Spun’s mix of Love is the Meditation takes the honours for me.”

Available Now From: Bandcamp, Apple Music, Spotify, And Juno.