Various Artists - Act I (Taul Boy Records)

With a worldly flair inspired by the fading summer heat, Taul Boy Records launches its Act compilation series with Act I. The series is a planned seasonal collection showcasing the label's artists while providing an outlet to stretch outside usual musical boundaries and experiment with new sounds. Listeners will be taken on a sonic journey laced with deep house, techno, and indie-dance flavors. Act I begins with the 'in your face' energy of Dolce, then to the mysterious, global allusions of Pulsion Thanatos, to the eclectic and building power of Organoid, and then closed out by the dark but hopeful whims of Keda. These selections offer variety and distinction, giving DJs a range of vibes to explore in different settings. Dig in … dig in deep.

Tyler Stadius (Deepsite) – “Some cool, original tracks.”
Lönya (Asymmetric Recordings) – “A great EP, support.”
Terry Jasinto (Dance Klassique) – “Really liking ‘Everything Nothing’. I can fit this into a lot of the sets I play.”
Simon Kirk (Stag Beetle Radio Show) – “Darkly mesmerizing music. Dolce is particularly captivating.”
Velanche (Urban Landscapes) – “Good variety of grooves.”
Jon Wesley (Music Goes On Radio Show) – “I really like all 4 tracks, hard to pick a favorite. I chose Keda since I’ll likely play that on first.”

Available Now From: Beatport, Juno Download, Apple Music, And Spotify.

Black Sjuan - The Underdog Railroad (Assylum Effort Records)

Black Sjuan is probably the most notorious ghost producer in Chicago. Whether or not dance floors realize it, they’ve already heard his sound. Black Sjuan’s Assylum Effort has evolved from a boutique production house to a full-on Chicago house label, pushing a classic sound while injecting it with something unique and new.

The Underdog Railroad is the new album from Black Sjuan, proclaiming his underground house music aesthetic over eight down n' dirty deep house cuts. Black Sjuan explains the album: "This is album represents a side of Chicago night life you never see in magazines and on Instagram. Gang parties, secret Jevohah's Witness raves, sex worker conferences, cartel crew rages, undercover cops, surgeon orgies, rooftop grows, drug fueled restaurant after-hours … I could tell you about it, but i wrote an album instead."

After the introductory track, the album jumps right into it with "Trying 2 Trip With Angels," a dark and dubby house music work-out with a grinding bass line and echoed string chops. "No Love In Bubble City" expands on this vibe with its crisp, swinging drum track and filtered melodic elements. "Heart Machine" raises the tempo and the dance floor insistence — staccato synth hits and the rapid bass groove play against each other in a rhythmic style. These are just the first few highlights — all the tracks on The Underdog Railroad are tailor-made for house heads looking to dig deeper.

Alvaro Hylander (DeepWit) – “Blunt Live is the one for me. Cool stuff.”
Tyler Stadius (Deepsite) – “Cool Raw Heavies.”
Blueshift (Nurvous Records) – “Nice grooves. I especially like Trying 2 Trip With Angels.”
Ken Liu (Headset Hi-Fi) – “Very nice. Feeling Heart Machine and Red Love the most.”
DJ P-REZ (Not So Fast Records) – “The entire album is amazing. Well done!”
Pat Lezizmo (Conva Records) – “Sizzling drums and grooves – real nice!”
DJ Firefly (Couch Dancing) – “The kind of stuff that gets played at all the best parties.”

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

Cyrus - Tribute To The Master (Smooth Agent Records)

Cyrus is an exciting new trio featuring Carmello Guarnera AKA Mello, da.loca, and Sean Smith AKA The Smooth Agent. They’ve come together to forge an organic twist on electronic dance music, building off sounds and traditions of the past to push Cyrus’s music into the future. This mission couldn’t be better expressed than on their new single, “Tribute to the Master,” which pays homage to Fela Kuti, the Nigerian King of Afrobeat. Featuring vocalist Tosha Marie, the song includes pounding layers of rhythm, melodic horns, staccato guitar, gliding electric piano chords, and Tosha’s expressive, soulful voice. It’s a rousing affair.

Four fantastic remixes back “Tribute to the Master,” starting with the Tribute Groove Mix from David Harness (Moulton Music, Vega). Focusing on the magic of the musical instrumentation, Harness lays down a deep kick drum that guides his version into dancefloor bliss. Sean Smith (The Smooth Agent) is next, paring down the track a touch but still keeping the rhythmic interplay and Tosha’s lovely vocals. Welsh DJ/producer Paul Lyons (Quantize, Marivent Music) gets in the tribal zone with his deep Tribe Vibe mix, and Cleveland’s Karu (Intimate Venues) transforms “Tribute to the Master” into a sleek late night groover. This pack is filled with exquisite, Afro-inspired sounds, all ready for DJ deployment.

Soulfuledge (Quantize) – “Sublime stuff from David Harness on here. This one’s definitely for me.”
DJ Pope (Poji Records) – “This entire package is hot.”
Col Lawton (Deep Fix Recordings) – “David’s remix is sooo nice.”
Simon Kirk (Stag Beetle radio show) – “Wonderful remixes celebrating a legend. The Karu mix is my fave. Full support.”
DJ Jazzy L (Jazzy Lounge Radio) – “It only took a couple bars before my feet started moving. On Point.”
Michael Fossati (Spirit of House web zine) – “An expertly crafted and truly amazing tribute.”

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

Black Sjuan - How 2 Dance In The Dark (Assylum Effort Records)

Black Sjuan is probably the most notorious ghost producer in Chicago. Whether or not dance floors realize it, they’ve already heard his sound. Black Sjuan’s Assylum Effort has evolved from a boutique production house to a full-on Chicago house label, pushing a classic sound while injecting it with something unique and new.

Black Sjuan’s latest EP, How 2 Dance In The Dark, is meant as a musical diary of a DJ’s struggle to remain level during the ‘dance music depression’ of the pandemic. Says Black Sjuan, “Though I usually do a more jazzy and funky type sound, my contact with the outside world during the past year has been virtual. So I gave it tech-flavored sound.”

The EP opens with “4 the Free,” rousing the floor with a churning Chicago house rhythm along with pad stabs and percussive vocal drops. “Micro Dose” executes an old-school acid feel, perfectly suited for after-hours peak time in secret warehouse locations. Then “Keep It Movin’” is an ode to the Eric Kupper / Wayne Gardner style ethereal house tracks of the ‘90s. Rising arpeggiations and bright chords help spread dreamy good vibes through the speakers. The final track, “Space and Time,” is Black Sjuan’s ‘Metaphonic’ remix of an original by Nephertiti Amen. Lovely vocals and tribal four-on-the-floor deepness make this evocative track a cut above the rest.

Mr. V (Sole Channel Music) – “Interesting sounds I can dig.”
Tony H (Late Night Munchies) – “Space and Time is dope!”
Lee Jones (Country Gents) – “4 The Free really rocks. Fab track!”
DJ P-REZ (Not So Fast Records) – “This is a solid release.”
Geoffrey C (Edgemix Productions) – “All of these tracks are insane!”
Andrew Emil (Glenview Records) – “Solid! Keep it Movin & Space and Time are the ones for me.”
Dj Deelay (Underground Sessions) – “This EP is ace! Full of unique vibes which alert the ears.”
Joey Silvero (Soul Elements Radio Show) – “Rolling, bouncing house vibes. I like this one.”
DJ Hal (EQ Magazine) – “Nice & moody late night grooves.”

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