Kazell - Temporary Bliss (Release Musiq)

Scene veteran Kazell returns to Release Musiq for an electrifying new single titled “Temporary Bliss.” The U.K.-native, L.A.-transplanted producer is known for his DJ sets and productions comprised of an electric and refreshing fusion of dub, tribal, and breaks layered over a tech-house foundation. His tracks have made their way to labels like Bedrock, Audio Therapy, and Lost Language and have been featured on compilations from icons like Sander Kleinenberg and Nick Warren. This sound caught the attention of Sasha and John Digweed who had Kazell join them on the eighteen dates of their Spring Club Tour 2008.

“Temporary Bliss” is a spaced-out, tech-house cruiser with some light proggy touches and an aim to ignite the dance floor. The pulsating drive that is the center of the track rarely lets up, with a lush soundscape of scintillating synth pads and dubby electronic enhancements giving the cut loads of vibrancy. It’s an intricate nightclub journey, well-suited for placing within extended, after hours sets. A first remix comes courtesy of the production pair Dathan and Kri. The Release Musiq label founder and psychedelic festival DJ combine forces for the evocative Alien Tripster Mix, bringing a more electronic edge to Kazell’s original. An insistent, pounding rhythm signifies this peak time treatment with transformed effects, trippy embellishments, and a devilishly effective breakdown section that will take the club by surprise. Finally, the duo of Armando & Greggor, who last appeared on Release Musiq’s acclaimed Occupy The Gruv EP, remix “Temporary Bliss” into a bass heavy groover with dubbed-out keyboard elements, building white noise whooshes, and a very moody vibe. It’s somewhat stripped down feel and tribal-influenced rhythm could make this a favorite of some of the more discerning DJs out there. These three cuts effortlessly make up another winning, club-primed package from Release Musiq

Hernan Cattaneo - “Kazell rocks!”
Kenneth Thomas (Perfecto) - “Cool grooves. Nice to see new stuff from Kazel!”
Chris Fortier - “It’s the original mix all the way for me.”
Louk (Compulzion) - “I like all three, deep yet warm grooves. Original mix is my fave but love the huge kick of the Armando mix and the funkiness of Alien Tripster mix as well.”
Greg Eversoul - “Go Kazell! Quality. Beautiful stuff. Nice remixes, as well.”
Joey Silvero (Distant People) - “The Armando & Greggor mix is deep and hypnotic with a solid progressive vibe.”
DJ Liquid (Journees Music) - “I like the vocal effects and analog-style bass in the Alien Tripster mix. The Armando & Greggor Mix is the pick here though.” Alan Freed (ShoutDrive) - “Deep, dark, and mysterious. Just how I like it.”
DJ Bonehead (Sundada Radio Show) - “Heady techno! The Armando & Greggor mix spaced me out!”
DJ Nova (Rodon FM, Greece) - “Love the original’s build and open sky-dance-under-the-moon attitude.” David Cronin (RTE FM, Ireland) - “This is big!”

Additional support from Claude Von Stroke, Paul Van Dyk, Omid 16B, DJ Irene, Matt Star, Merlyn Martin, Dylan Drazen, Orde Meikle (Slam), and Aldrin (Zouk Club).

Available now from Juno Download and Beatport.

Various Artists - Occupy The Gruv (Release Musiq)

J-Hecht, who has previously been heard on Release Musiq as well as Onionz’ Electrik Soul label. displays his funky style with a straight-forward groover titled “Realized.” The rhythm section pulls off some tight, hip-shaking house music with a punchy bass line and a potent four-on-the-floor drive. Expressive vocal cut-ups and hits follow the rhythm adding a simmering excitement to the track. On top of all this is an effected synth melody, bursting in and out of the mix with modulated echoes and splashes of reverb.

The house music assault continues with “Occupy The Gruv" from Luis Armando. Luis previously made a splash on Release Musiq with his “I See U” single, and fans of that effort will definitely not be disappointed by this latest nightclub monster. A solid house rhythm track leads the way while strange, atmospheric sounds float around in the background for a trippy effect. As the cut builds, the sliding bass line pushes the speakers towards an eerie breakdown. A mysterious voice asks, “What do we want?" before everything kicks back in for a floor-filling resolution.

Luis Armando returns for the final track, joined by Conrad Greggor under the Armando & Greggor banner. Conrad is a DJ who came to the east coast via Seattle, and his influence deftly compliments Luis’ production in the track “DjSmiles.” The psychedelic touches typical of Armando’s work are here, placed upon a shuffling house groove and some glimmering synth pads. The track builds effortlessly, with stereo-drifting vocal hits and an uplifting chord motif building in volume throughout.

Occupy The Gruv! Enjoy this tasty ‘state of the label’ message from Release Muaiq, and be ready for a busy 2012 schedule from the label and its assorted, talented artists.

Orde Meikle (Slam) - “Straight into the crate!”
Jota Wagner (Colors Sound System) - “‘Realized’ and ‘Occupy The Gruv’ are two bombs! great EP.”
Onionz - “Hot!”
DK Watts (Short Bus Kids) - “I’m liking ‘DJsmiles.’ The vocal hooks me in, and the bassline and the way this track grooves works well.”
Lorenzo al Dino (7th District) - “Luis Armando rules the package!”
Rafy Nieves (Cyberbiotics Syndicated Radio Show) - “I love the fusion between atmospheric sounds and a punchy bass in ‘Realized.’”
Bogdan Taran (Dance Box) - “‘Occupy the Gruv’  is quite deep and techy enough, but at the same time not as obvious as many of the other tech house tunes around.”
Velanche (Urban Landscapes Radioshow) - “If this music best represents the label, then I’m looking forward to hearing more. Solid house sounds with some oomph!” 

Available Now From Juno Download and Beatport