Various Artists - Discordian Dreaming 5 Sampler (Harmonious Discord) →

As the frost settles over sleepy landscapes and another successful year rounds to a close, Harmonious Discord present their annual dose of shades to come with a six track sampler featuring artists that will pepper the label’s approaching catalog. As with every Discordian Dreaming Sampler, Harmonious Discord strives to introduce artists and sounds felt to be those that will define the label in 2012. Harmonious Discord is pleased to present the range of emotive experiences chosen for this year’s sampler from avant-techno soundscapes to depth ridden house concoctions to the darkest waves of techno.

Wirik begins the compilation with "2050", a space-techno deep dive into his trademark world of cinematic textures. Dubby elements give this selection a classic feel with a twist of new technology. Next up is John Walker, returning to Harmonious Discord with "After The Storm," a chugging heater perfectly set for the dancefloors. This house burner is propelled by bumping bass and syncopated pads. Following in suit, Vital shows off his house music skills after his first appearance on the label, the killer drum and bass rework of PointBeander’s “So Fell the Orbit”. Vital’s contribution here shows he is no one trick pony with a floor destroyer called “Trap Door”. Retaining the deepness but adding a bit of classic techno propulsion with "Creme de’ Nuit," Ivan Dbri showcases his rush hour remittent club tool with building tension and a beautiful resolve. Discordian Dreaming veteran Elevotion always brings his tom-driven powerhouse jams to the table with a heaping dose of face melting dance music. Rich with automation and character, “Pitchbender” is a contending crate staple for touring jet setters. A turn down darker corners transitions the listener into our next shade with works by DRK and Driip. These newcomers to the label deliver tracks that have an off-center vibe that wisps listeners out of their comfort zones and aim to express the richest abscesses of the human psyche. This is a perfect taste of some of the brightest and more ambitious flavors being showcased in the coming year.

Al Bradley (3am Recordings) - “This is a superb release, right from the wicked deep opener ‘Trap Door’ and the brilliantly sultry ‘After The Storm’. Followed by the wondrous ‘Creme de’ Nuit’ through to the mental percussive workout that is ‘Pitchbender’ … Leaving ‘Lure’ to round off the EP in fine style.”
TJ Norris (Resident Advisor / Igloo Magazine) - “Really refined set!”
Greg Eversoul (Elektek / Evasive / Mono Stereo) - “Really tough to pick a favorite … I’m loving this sampler!”
Rob Pearson (Evasive Records) - “A great release full of different flavors and very useful tracks.”
Lee Jarvis (Do It Proper / MyCuppaT Blog) - “Another solid release from Harmonious Discord!”

Available now from Beatport

Not So Fast Records Fall Sampler →

Not So Fast Records is a San Francisco house music label founded in 2006 by DK Watts (Short Bus Kids) and DJ Naz Vartianian, meant as a sub-label of Bounce House Recordings. Releases from the likes of Giano, Short Bus Kids, P-rez, and Bon Johnson established the label in the bay area house community. After some moving and shuffling the renewed NSF Records is now under the helm of Fresno-based DJ/producer P-rez. The imprint is promptly revved up, reintroducing itself with this sampler highlighting a quartet of artists who will play a part in the label’s funky future.

Dropzilla is Richard DeSoto, a Spaniard settled in the bay era who found a profound influence in full moon parties and the sounds that characterized the DJ sets of the renowned Wicked crew. His booming contribution to the sampler is “Longhair,” a hypnotic floor-shaker driven by bouncy rhythms and a potent, non-stop bass line. Periodic snatches of melody, vocal phrases, and fleeting SFX drops help make this a bit of a trippy offering for the nightclub.

Label main-man P-rez (Steve Perez to those who know him) leaps forward with “Tunnel Vision,” an effective slice of peak time funk for the house music boogie zone. With remixes and releases on Blunted Funk, Le Poop Music, and Voluptuous Recordings P-rez is no stranger to the more jackin’ side of the SF sound. “Tunnel Vision” thrills with huge rhythmic stabs, tough beats, and a vocal sample that aims to ignite dance floors.

DJ Naz is a longtime fixture of San Francisco’s house music scene, and was part owner of In House Records, a beloved and much-missed shop that satisfied many of the city’s vinyl addicts. He’s recorded with Tarantic Records and Evasive Music and now busts out with the chuggy warehouse mover “Sad Days.” It’s a tracky affair, with bursts of effects and percussion over a grumbling, insistent low end. Filtered drum loops and flanged out break sections only add to the track’s after hours power.

Johnny Blackouts is yet another alias of veteran Austin, TX scenester Adam Warped. He’s collaborated with P-rez via his own Whiskey Pickle imprint and is known for DJ sets that brave the rave with left turns and eclectic selections. This comes through in “Down The Hatch,” a moody, funk workout that takes in elements of breakbeat, acid house, latin percussion, and, most of all, wonky psychedelia. This one is sure to grab the attention of anyone close to the speakers.

Available now from Stompy

Quincy Jointz presents Lime Sorbet (a compilation) →

In 2005 Quincy Jointz, an established electronic-funk DJ from Germany, took over the reigns of the Lime Sorbet radio program, hosted by the now defunct Florida downtempo label Citrona Records. Under his tutelage the Lime Sorbet show has become one of the leading mixshows for downtempo, synthesized funk, and boogie sounds. Found online at citrona.net/sorbet.htm the Lime Sorbet show gives its listeners a weekly dose of latest and hottest tunes in the worlds of nu-boogie, downtempo, European hip hop, and funk-breaks. Quincy Jointz has proven himself an astute selector, expertly sifting through mountains of music to find the funkiest bits. Eighth Dimension has long been a fan of the Lime Sorbet show and Quincy Jointz’ discerning musical taste so it’s natural that this provides the inspiration for the labels’ latest compilation: Quincy Jointz presents Lime Sorbet.

Quincy Jointz himself has had a bit of success in the funk-breaks field. Known to his friends and family as Dirk Schafer, Quincy Jointz has produced numerous releases and remixes for the likes of Eighteenth Street Lounge, Funk Weapons, Aniligital, and Timewarp Music. As a DJ he can be found laying down beats in clubs throughout Europe as well as his home base in Freiberg, Germany. This Lime Sorbet compilation not only represents the sound of Quincy Jointz’ radio program but also his multi-faceted production output. From his archive of recordings Quincy Jointz presented Eighth Dimension with unreleased remixes and original tracks which formed the basis of the selection. Remixes for Basement Freaks and Omegaman as well as a couple original tracks represent Quincy Jointz in the studio within the set. Eighth Dimension answered by pulling a few unreleased gems from its own library, including Ancient Astronauts' space-tacular remix for Beef Wellington and BMF's newly uncovered rework ofPimp Daddy Nash's classic “Jump, Jive, and Wail.” Rounding out the Lime Sorbet compilation are quality beat-head tracks and remixes from Quincy Jointz pals such as CMC & Silenta, Thunderball, All Good Funk Alliance, and Shantisan.

Bringing this collection back full circle to the Lime Sorbet radio show Quincy Jointz has also provided an exquisitely crafted hour DJ mix using the songs from the compilation. This mix reveals the mixing skills of Quincy Jointz as well as the funk and fun of his DJ sets, both live in the nightclub and on the Lime Sorbet radio program.

All in all, it’s a brilliant manifesto on the state of funk and electronic beatology in the 21st century. Quincy Jointz presents Lime Sorbet … whether you’re leaning back, head nodding or jazz dancing at a smokey after-hours joint this collection fits the bill.

Available now from Juno Download 

DJ MFR - West Coast Excursions Vol. 5 (Transport Recordings) →

Dedicated to the true deep house enthusiasts all over the world, Transport Recordings is located in the heart of San Francisco. Formed in December of 1998 by producer Miguel ‘Migs’, Marco Celone (aka DJ MFR) and Naked Music’s Bruno Ybarra, the label came about as an outlet to release deep, timely, West Coast based house music for up-and-coming as well as well-known artists. After the success of Transport’s previous CD compilations, DJ MFR(Marco from Rome) is presenting the fifth volume of the West Coast Excursions series.

DJ MFR has already gained popularity with a variety of productions and remixes on Transport Recordings and some of the most respected labels around the world. His releases have included the very first edition in the West Coast Excursions series as well as his highly acclaimed artist album Rome Departurewhich was selected to be album of the month and best of 2005 in Britain’s iDJ magazine. He has also contributed a release to the “San Francisco” installment of the acclaimed AfterDark series on the Kinky Sweet label. This stayed at the top of the Billboard electronic charts for several weeks.

Sit back and relax as DJ MFR takes you on another West Coast Excursion containing music from some of the most respected West Coast Record labels and producers and singers such as Miguel Migs, Jay-J, Jask, Vincent Kwok, New Mondo, Haldo, Dario D’Attiss, Fabio Tosti, Lisa Shaw, Morrisson, and DJ MFR himself, all flawlessly blended together in DJ MFR’s smooth mixing style.

Full CD Track List: 
01 “No Where To Go” Vincent Kwok & DJN Project 
02 “When We Get Up (Haldo and Gino Woody Bianchi Remix)” Haldo & Morrisson 
03 “Take Me Away (Jay-J Vocal Remix)” New Mondo & D’layna 
04 “Head To The Sky (Vincent Kwok Remix)” DJ MFR feat Winstrong 
05 “Bring It Back (DJ MFR Remix)” New Mondo ft Morrisson 
06 “808 (Miguel Migs 2007 Remix)” New Mondo 
07 “Come On” Fabio Tosti 
08 “Talamanca” Fabio Tosti 
09 “Total Control (Haldo & Mascaro Mix)” New Mondo ft Morrisson 
10 “Get Up (Under Club Mix)” Fabio Tosti & Francesco Tarantini 
11 “Monita Fea vs. In My Dreams (Jask Seduction Mix)” Dario D’attis & Morrisson 
12 “Right Now” Dario D’Attis & Morrisson 
13 “Latin Seduction (New Mondo Tech Mix)” DJ MFR ft. Erika 
14 “I Want Cha (DAtio D’attis Vocal Mix)” New Mondo ft. Lisa Shaw 
15 “Do You Remember (Vincent Kwok Remix)” DJ MFR ft. Tonee Green 
16 “Come To Me (Charles Webster Remix)” DJ MFR & Vincent Kwok

Continuous Mix by DJ MFR available from iTunes / Traxsource / Beatport

Individual Compilation Tracks also available from iTunes / Traxsource / Beatport