Carlos Alfonzo - Sonido (Boogie Basics)

Boogie Basics takes it to the house with “Sonido,” a stomping new single from Carlos Alfonzo. A strong part of the San Francisco bay area’s electronic music scene, Carlos has roots that reach back to 1993 when his love for house music was inspired by artists like DJ Dan, Doc Martin, and Little Louie Vega. He began producing in 2001 and has never looked back, having gone on to found his own label, Vibrance Recordings.

“Sonido” has a big room Miami tribal sound. Make no doubt about it - this cut is dark and driving with straight to the point drums and an ecstatic rave-era lead. On remix duties is acclaimed Los Angeles veteran Sean Ray. His work can be found on such notable labels as Nervous Records as well as previous Boogie Basics singles. Using sleight of hand, Sean strips the original back and airs it out to give the underlaying groove a chance to really open up while losing none of its initial impact.

Danny Howells - “Possibly edging towards Sean Ray’s mix … I’ll support this for sure!”
Nick Warren - “The original is a great track.”
Chris Fortier (Fade) - “This is good.”
Fabricio Peçanha (Moodmusic / Definition Records) - “I love this groove!”
DJ Harri (Sub Club) - “I’m liking this.”
DJ Craig C (Pound Boys) - “I’m digging the original mix … the perfect mix of big room and underground!”
Joey Silvero (Distant People) - “Real deepness right here … a slammin’ track creeps up on ya!”
Sumsuch (Colour and Pitch) - “Sean Ray’s mix is a beauty … support!”
Merlyn Martin (Subdivisions) - “That Sean Ray mix is smooth.”
DJ Tronic (Dancefloor Mayhem) - “Both versions are great. I love the heavy tribal drums on the original.”
Harry Avers (NOICE! / Proton Radio) - “Solid release … great percussion on the ‘Sonido’ original mix.”
Corbin Dooley (Electric Feel Radio Show) - “Sean Ray’s underground mix is a nice journey.”
Roman Rosati (Nikki Beach / Defected) - “It’s been a while since I’ve heard a tribal track this good.”

Available now from Beatport and Juno Download.

Ménage à Moi - Prayer / Shake That Bass (3am Devices)

Ménage à Moi’s follow-up release to “The Syrup” takes things tastefully into big room territory as the San Francisco act returns to 3am Devices with two peak hour stompers. “Prayer” will easily find a home in warehouses, big clubs, or any number of Sunday congregations. Primed to burn down the house, “Shake That Bass” lives up to its name with a dark, twisted Berghain vibe. From soulful beats to big bass and back again, Ménage à Moi delivers on this latest single.

“Prayer“’s booming bass line and throw-back vocal samples are the epitome of classic big room house, but with a sharp turn for the darker side - something of a Ménage à Moi calling card. The track opens with a synth line evoking the Eurythmics and builds up to a heavenly interlude proclaiming “In my house, there was only God … and in my God, there was only house.” Reminiscent of Faithless, but with the Ménage à Moi touch, ”Prayer“ is a go-to pleaser.

“Shake That Bass” can only be the work of a techno arsonist, a heated homage to warehouses past. Deep dark and handsome, the track assaults with big rides, bigger bass, and a timely snare-laden breakdown with a “Bass now!” vocal mantra. Working woofers to the max is what ”Shake That Bass” is all about.

Chris Fortier - “‘Shake That Bass’ works!”
DJ Craig C (Pound Boys) - “I’m diggin’ this heavy s@*t! Love that bass.”
Martin Villeneuve (Hotfingers / Jungle Funk) - “Both are perfect for the after hours … I’ll definitely play this tonight.”
Al Bradley (3am Recordings) - “I’m really feeling the darker grooves on ‘Shake That Bass’ … excellent! A proper ‘heads-down’ vibe.”
Joey Silvero (Distant People) - “Heavy with a capital H. this will smash some systems Very cool.”
DJ MTS (Progress Radio Show, Brazil) - “Wow, power! ‘Shake That Bass’ is huge. Perfect to open a gig.”
Cheets (Global Dance Sessions, UK) - “Great dymanics on these … strong grooves, also!”
[sic] (Balls Deep / mu-sic) - “Two really strong tracks. I’m loving the vibes of both but I think ‘Shake That Bass’ wins for that dirty whomp bass line. Great stuff.”
DJ Danila (Wazzup? Records) - “This sounds nice!”
SimonG (Deep South Audio, New Zealand) - “Sweet bass lines … ‘Shake That Bass’ will be rocking my DJ sets.”
Cherokee (Cherry Global Radio Show, Australia) - “‘Prayer’ is nice and funky!”
Ray Sam (Tone Deep Radio Show, Beirut) - “‘Shake that Bass’ … heavy stuff! This is my kind of music.”

Available now from Beatport and Stompy.

The Cucarachas - Spread (Get Up Recordings)

Get Up Recordings continue to establish themselves as forerunners of the underground house sound with “Spread,” a dark and dirty house track from London’s The Cucarachas. The Cucarachas are DJ/producer team Tom Stephan and Borja Peña, a collaboration that was born in 2012 after the success of their underground party, DISH, in East London. They have been producing tracks, remixes, and edits that encapsulate the sound of the night: dirty bass lines, Chicago house elements, and dark grooves. The original version of “Spread” showcases this unmistakable trademark, sprinkled with rousing diva vocal stabs and punctuated synths … they really bring it to the dance floor for a peak hour time slot.

The package includes two remixes, the first coming from fellow Londoners Up Yours, which consists of Severino from the Horse Meat Disco collective and HiFi Sean, both well-known DJ’s and producers who have had releases on Get Up Recordings, Southern Fried Recordings and Batty Bass. Their dirty house treatment of “Spread” highlights their unique ability to take a track and really make it their own. The bass and percussion hits hard and funky, which is sure-fire way to get the dance floor fired up.

The second remix comes from Get Up Recordings co-owner, DJ and producer W. Jeremy. He has produced under the moniker House of Stank with label partner, Christy Love, and has produced solo remixes for JD Samson’s band MEN and veteran house producer Angel Moreas. His take on “Spread” translates into a beautiful build-up floor slammer with a bit of acid thrown in. The remix is reminiscent of the old school Wild Pitch style making it a remix that will be played for a long time to come.

Brett Johnson - “Some good big room action going on here.”
Diz (Iz & Diz, Vizual) - “Solid!”
Mr.V (Sole Channel Music) - “I’m feeling the vibe on the original mix a lot.”
Denney (Hot Creations / 20:20 Vision) - “The Up Yours remix is the one for me.”
Hippie Torrales - Nice, aggressive groove.“
DJ Craig C - ”While there are two good remixes here you only really need the original … hotness!“
Raymundo Rodriguez - ”Nice jacking vibe.“
Alexi Delano - ”I will play ‘Spread.’“
Al Bradley (3am Recordings) - ”Smart vibes here. It’s a tough call between the original and the W. Jeremy remix. Both are excellent … I’m loving the twisty acid touches in the latter.“
Joey Silvero (Distant People) - ”The Up Yours remix really brings home the filth!“
German MT (Como Las Grecas Music Blog) - ”Killer release … fire on dance floor!“
Stefan Popovic (DiscoTone Radio Show) - ”Spinnable to the bone!“
CheckPoint Charlie (MyCuppaT) - ”I’m loving all of the mixes. The original is simple, pounding house, the Up Yours remix is a whole lot of twisted, and then W Jeremy just smashes it! Superb!“
Bogdan Taran (Dance Box Radio Show, Latvia) - ”I like the dark and groovy vibe.“
Kosta (Vibe FM, Romania) - ”Bouncy and fresh. Love this. The original is right up my alley, but both the remixes are really good.“
[sic] (mu-sic / Balls Deep) - ”Three great tracks. Great initial idea in the original but the remixes give it that extra bit of energy. Loving the wild pitch vibes of the W Jeremy remix.“
Velanche (Velanche’s Playtime Radio Show) - ”I dig the original, and the remixes are pretty solid. Nice.”

Available now from Beatport and Stompy.

Thee-O & Tony Gamboa - Acid Hop / Jingling (Boogie Basics)

The latest from Los Angeles-based Boogie Basics label highlights a collaboration of two hometown heroes, scene veterans Thee-O and Tony Gamboa. Thee-O’s sets in the L.A. rave scene are legendary, soundtracking the dance music experiences of hundreds of thousands throughout the the ’90s heyday. Tony Gamboa was just as active, and the two joined forces in 1995 to form Biohazard Productions, one of the more long-lasting and impactful DJ collectives in southern California. A studio of the same name followed, as did production work, and then, after a fruitful period, a bit of a hiatus for the duo. Now they have returned with this double A-side single featuring the club-bound stompers “Acid Hop” and “Jingling.” “Acid Hop” is funky and rude as hell, with a deliriously cut-up vocal sample leading to a speaker-bursting acid line. This one builds like fire, with handclaps, dense layers, and an insistent rhythm showing the new breed how things are done. “Jingling” continues the theme, trading the acid for a swinging beat and, as a cool nod to the old school, a jazzy, repeating piano riff. More vocal cut-ups and floor-twirling effects soon make way for a delicious breakdown that subtly references Jaydee’s “Plastic Dreams.” Choice.

Tensnake - “‘Jingling’ is a nice house cut.”
Mark Kane (Housepital Records) - “‘Jingling’ … a nice straight up stomping house groove.”
Alexander Robotnick - “‘Acid Hop’ … acid, yeah!”
Furniture Crew (Clean And Dirty Recordings) - “Cool track … I like the riddles. I’ll definitely play this out.”
Generic People (Cut For Life / Rawk) - “A bit crazy … but thats how we like ’em!”
Raymundo Rodriguez - “‘Jingling’ is nice.”
Eric Davenport - “‘Acid Hop’ … nice acid stomper!”
Joey Silvero (Distant People) - “Funky, quirky vibe … I like this.”
DJ SPRM (RCKO Loud Radio, Budapest) - “‘Acid Hop’ … I’ve been waiting a long time for this sound!”
Al Bradley (3am Recordings) - “Both are cool, but the more deep and flowing ‘Jingling’ is the pick for me.”
Kadabra (House Hookup Radio Show) - “This sh*t is SERIOUS! Both tracks are dope. ‘Acid Hop’ reminds me of that group Cirrus back in the day.”
Deepshizzol - “‘Acid Hop’ is sick … pure sickness. Yes!”
[sic] (mu-sic / Fnoob Radio) - “Two really fun tracks. Great edits and details. Probably leaning towards the bounce of ‘Jingling,’ though ‘Acid Hop’ has some great energy.”

Available now from Beatport and Juno Download.