Djoser Pharaoh - Star Love (Selekta Recordings)

Selekta Records continues to break boundaries and seek new sounds with a remix package celebrating "Star Love" from Detroit native and multi-faceted artist Djoser Pharaoh. The original tune is an emotional and undeniably soulful production, outwardly influenced both by classic R&B and Prince's powerful balladry. Djoser Pharaoh's vocal is impeccable, delivering equal parts intimacy and passionate fireworks.

The team at Selekta wisely recognized the potential to bring this song to the dance floor and commissioned a pack of top notch remixes. First up is the Galaxy of Soul Remix from The Stoned, AKA the San Antonio-based father/son duo of Josh Stone and Josh Stone Jr., recently named one of Traxsource's top 100 Jackin' Artists of 2021. This mix takes things deep, focusing on Djoser's vocal and adding chiming chords and a crisp house rhythm. Selekta's own DJ Dennis brings in some old-school elements for his Seeing Stars Remix, introducing chunky drum rolls, laser-bright synth effects, and a cool bit of acid house — but never losing sight of the vocal line. Pioneering Sacramento DJ David X increases the tempo a tad and adds a bouncing bass line for his Club Mix. Djoser's voice floats effortlessly above a concoction of guitar hits, pads, and driving patterns. The legendary DJ EFX harks back to his Strictly Rhythm days on his Celestial Mix, injecting tons of low end and shimmering arpeggiations into "Star Love." DJ Lana Johnson (LTHM, Fresh Farm) closes out with the Deep Space Mix, placing the tune into a slightly techy and dubby realm, but nonetheless as deep as it gets. A prime package of tracks all around, ready for nightclub action.

Tee Cardici (Low Down Grooves) – “Five stars to DJ Dennis for taking this one to a whole other level. This is a VIBE right here.”
Sumsuch (Colour and Pitch) – “This is so good!”
Jaymz Nylon (Nylon Recordings) – “Star Love" (Original) is a gorgeous piece music.”
Indy Lopez (D&S Club Beatz) – “Nice pack. Lana Johnson’s remix is sweet.”
Sandro Bianchi (Ibiza Sonica) – “Beautiful original, brilliant remixes!”
Simon Kirk (Stag Beetle radio show) – “David X instrumental for me. Brilliant future funk.”

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

Sunday Slim - Take Me Back - The Selekta Remixes (Selekta Recordings)

Sunday Slim is a Northern California blues musician with a twist — he builds his songs live using a BOSS RC-505 Loop Station by beatboxing the drums, percussion, bass, and effects. Then Slim deftly transmits his harmonica and vocal skills on top, resulting in a super-stew that ’s one part blues, one part funk, another part electronic, and all GOOD.

Sunday Slim’s “Take Me Back” is a wicked track that, when heard by the Selekta Recordings team, was begging for the remix treatment. Thus The Selekta Remixes, featuring familiar label staples and a couple of new-to-the-fold producers.

Rusty Belicek from All Good Funk Alliance has combined forces with Isaac Freed (bass) and Paul LLoyd (banjo!) to become Rockmaster and the Boys. Their remix harks back to the classic big-beat sound, combining Slim’s vibe with some block rockin’ beats. Dirty Rotten Scoundrels aka DRS bring “Take Me Back” into the electronica-dub-influenced realm, delivering some powerful stuff even at a low tempo. Scottie Soul’s version is a blunted-out downtempo jam with shimmering percussion effects and loping jeep beats. StickHouse Recordings’ Brian Steckle engineered the original “Take Me Back,” and revisits it for his StickMix — the cut is transformed into a peak-time breakbeat banger. More breaks, on the almost glitchy side, invade the remix by DJ EFX which the label accurately refers to as ‘UltraFutureFunk.’ Last but hardly least, Selekta’s own DJ Dennis closes things out in a deep house style, blending Sunday Slim’s dexterous harmonica riffs with a delicious beats-and-bass bounce.

Morphosis (Hong Kong Ping Pong Club) – “Love this, especially the Rockmaster And the Boys & DJ Dennis Bounce remixes.”
Angelos Timewarp Stoumpos (Timewarp) – “Impressive blues song with some great remix treatments.”
Sandro Bianchi (Loca FM) – “Scottie Souls mix for me!”
Quincy Jointz (Ibiza Global Radio) – “Nice one. I like the original, Rockmaster and the Boys & DJ Dennis remixes.”
Mason Rothert (Below Zero Radio Show) – “This is the scheeet. Love it.”
Jon Fugler (XLNT Radio Show) – “Wow. A lot to take in here. Every mix has something to say, great selections.”
Hober Mallow (Mighty Real Show) – “Unique fusion sounds. Love the looper work on the original, and some very nice remixes too. Will play on the show.”

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