Gavin Hardkiss - Inheritance 1 (Hardkiss Music)

Producer and DJ Gavin Hardkiss delivers the first of a four-part series of releases as part of the 17+ song album titled Inheritance.

Inheritance tracks Gavin’s life from growing up in South Africa through the San Francisco Hardkiss era of the '90s to his baffling multi-genre tastes. The project is a Basquiat-like collage of sounds inherited along the way. Sounds heard as a boy through the second-floor bedroom window in Johannesburg. Sounds heard in dusty warehouses throughout America in the '90s. Snippets of conversation with people through the years alongside Instagram grabs.

Inheritance will be waterfalled as several EPs culminating in the release of the album.

Previously, Gavin has released six albums under the guise of Hawke and two albums with his Hardkiss brothers. The single "Acid Funk" was recently released on Dirtybird Records, and singles are regularly released on the Hardkiss Music imprint and other labels, including Do Not Sit and Taul Boy Records.

"Look Out Baby Here I Come" and "Lightning Strike" continue an ongoing collaboration with Nigerian-born vocalist and performer Bisi. Previously, Gavin and Bisi released Spirit Of Pinboi EP and other singles, including "Lovaboat," the George Floyd-inspired "Better," and the Struggle EP on Hardkiss Music.

"Psychedelic Woman" refashions a sample from the 1973 Ghanaian song by Honny & the Bees Band into a modern afro disco romp already heard in DJ sets at Lightning In A Bottle and Sunset Campout this summer.

"I Don’t Want To Fight" twists the guitars of Mbaqanga Zulu jive with a layered three-way call and response into something familiar yet different.

Murray Richardson (Electrica Salsa) – “Luv the Psychedelic Woman track, that’s a beauty!”
Scott Ferguson / Robot84 (Paper Recordings) – “All sounding great from this Hardkiss legend.”
Adam Warped (Whiskey Pickle) – “What a nice treat to wake to in my inbox this morning. Really digging the South African Vibes.”
DJ Morpheus (Lysergic Factory radio show) – “Excellent tracks in here. Good to hear Gavin’s stuff again.”
Kosta (Vibe FM) – “Stunning work, full support. Thank you for this.”
Bruce Tantum (DJ Mag) – “Very groovy tunes, much as expected from anything Hardkiss related. Nice one!”

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

Homero Espinosa - Dance to the Rhythm of Love (Viva Recordings)

After a decade away, legendary west coast DJ troubadour Homero Espinosa returns to Viva Recordings for another pair of already classic-sounding deep house floor-fillers. "Dance To The Rhythm Of Love" is a shaker-shaking four-on-the-floor wonder, spreading vibes outward that are introspective and groove-worthy, not to mention its undercurrent of shimmering sexiness. A male vocal transmits the message as pads vibrate and bass lines bubble, giving it all for the love of music. Homero also delivers "Running Behind," a sublime stab at lowdown house elegance that gives a new glimpse at the old school. The rhythms are insistent as the synth chords flutter in the stereo field. As if that wasn't enough, David Harness, San Francisco's ambassador of deep house realness, rerubs "Dance To The Rhythm Of Love" into his sublime Afro Puff Mix. The beats are potent on this mix, deftly imbuing an afro-house flavor into the original's deep mixology. The build here is subtle but delightfully effective — a late-night dream comes true.

Hector Romero (SAW Recordings) – “Right on guys. Both the original and the David Harness mix work for me. Good luck with it!”
CJ Mackintosh (Ministry of Sound) – “Oh yeah! Working.”
Jason Merle (4E&A Records) – “Sounds are exquisite all through the release. Beautiful.”
Pierre Ravan (KaRavan) – “Lovely package with deep and meaningful vibes. Full support.”
Mark Mac (Ibiza Live FM) – “Top vibes guys.”
Mr. V (Sole Channel Café Radio Show) – “I love it all. Thanks!”

Available Now From: Traxsource, Bandcamp, Beatport, And Spotify.

Nash La Musica - uHAMBO (Izzit Records)

South African DJ and producer Nash La Musica has honed a delicious flavor of deep, soulful house as evidenced by the range of collaborations on the uHAMBO EP. Joining forces with fellow producers and stunning vocalists as producer and remixer, Nash (AKA Tinashe Jomairwa) presents six tracks that showcase the regions' unique house music style. The cuts feature warm instrumentation, a nice low-end thump, sleek, synthy chords and pads, and beautiful vocals. A partnership with XERA as reSound and moving productions for vocalists Matiise and Q Maasta are just a couple of the highlights. Dig into the vibey pocket of sublime South African deep house.

Rise Ashen (Balanced Records) – “Lovely sounds … brining the sun back in the fall!”
Nick Power (Soul Kandi) – “Nice smooth tracks. Radio play coming on the weekend.”
Daz-I-Kue (Future Soul Records) – “Loving the deep soulfulness on these.”
Deepshizzol (MyHouse YourHouse radio) – “Amazing EP. Such amazing music.”
Jonny Layton (The Saturday Soulmine) – “Haunting – Love it.”
Michael Fossati (Spirit of House Web Zine) – “Very eclectic and truly unique.”

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

Andre Stepanian - Left It All (Friskybeat Records)

Friskybeat Records presents "Left It All," the latest single from jazz/flamenco guitarist and producer Andre Stepanian. Based in Vancouver, Stepanian has delivered a tropical dance groove that incorporates an acoustic nylon guitar for its main melody. Subtle vocal ad-libs introduce the track which are joined by swirling strings and guitar melodies. The Latin-house rhythm, funk-fueled bassline, and staccato electric piano chords shape the song's feel-good vibes.

Cool, driving percussion over more prominent kick and bass tracks flavor Luis Machuca's extended mix. The strings and pianos are jazzed-up a bit, giving the mix some added depth. In addition, the mix features a sultry female vocal playing call-and-response with the guitar melodies for some sleek deep house smoothness.

Casomado is on hand for a club-ready dub mix, stripped down with nuanced differences in the groove. A new bassline binds the percussion and pads to the bottom end while a groovy synth hook creates a haunting effect, wavering in and out of the tune. Affected vocals add texture while nodding to the original version's themes and motifs. Each track on "Left It All" is a dancefloor pleasure.

Rise Ashen (Balanced Records) – “Nice sounds, love the vocals and the groove. The dub is dope too. Full support here in Ottawa!”
DJ Firefly (Couch Dancing) – “Love the fresh, breezy vibe!”
Vanilla Ace (Toolroom) – “Luis Machuca’s Extended Vocal Mix is dope.”
Alvaro Hylander (DeepWit Recordings) – “Casomado’s Dub does it for me. Great groove and mood.”
Michael Fossati (Spirit Of House Web Zine) – “Beautiful sun drenched vibes.”
Miguel Garji (Deepfusion Radio Show) – “Fantastico! Full support on Balearica Radio.”

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