Sumsuch feat. Matty Eeles - Live Now (Colour and Pitch)

Colour and Pitch’s third outing sees label founder Sumsuch reconnect with long time vocal collaborator Matty Eeles for an uplifting slice of deep house music. Following the success of last year’s “This Old Town,” a fundraising single for mental health charity Mind, the duo headed straight back into the studio. The result is another vocal-backed slice of melodic, evocative, string-laden magic.

Matty’s soaring vocal range and beautiful lyrics deftly transform what was a deeply personal instrumental track - originally dedicated to a lost love - into a stirring call of “live now, not what has been.” Both a Vocal Mix and ’Blue Coat’ Instrumental are included in the release.

The first remix comes from Swiss production powerhouse Da Funk, a dream artist for the label. With releases on Anjunadeep, Pacha, and many other great labels to his name, quality and consistence has made him a credible name for house music. His ‘La Boheme’ version adds some blissful rays of warm sunshine, dropping the tempo down into beach-lounging territory whilst retaining many elements of the original, only slightly accented by his own special touches.

The second remix comes from Minotaurs, a rather special and often rare Helsinki recording duo better known by its individual parts: local hero Sachrias and transient performer Sumsuch. Since remixing Ricky Ryan’s incredible “4 The Love” back in 2011, the pair have been laying down tracks every time Sumsuch visits Finland to DJ. Aimed squarely at the dance-floor with its growling bass line, this simple but effective arrangement is the product of a single joyful afternoon in the studio on a hot summer’s day in 2013.

Richie Hartness (untitled music) - “The Vocal Mix is cracking but the Minotaurs just stole it with their remix … and that’s saying something in such a quality pack!”
Hippie Torrales - “I’m loving Matty’s voice … great tune.”
Claudio Coccoluto - “Nice pack!”
DJ Di Costa (MoodyLushious Influences) - “‘Lovely’ is an understatement … I’m really feeling this gorgeous single. Matty’s voice is beyond real, especially spread over Sumsuch’s crafty arrangement. A masterpiece.”
Christos Kedras (Beat Philosophy / Kapa Music) - “A beautiful track … the original and Da Funk mixes both hit some nice spots.”
Vincent Kwok - “That Minotaur remix is dark!”
Aldrin (OneWithMusic / Zouk Club) - “A nice summer balearic feel here from Da Funk.”
Cheets (Global Dance Sessions) - “Just beautiful … amazing work!”
Joey Silvero (Distant People) - “A pulsating bass line that pulls you in along with the dreamy, hypnotic vocals … a great tone created here.”
Dado Funky Poetz (Radio Monte Carlo) - “Nu pop? Perfect.”
DJ Nova (Rodon FM, Greece) - “Emotive, melancholic, and strong at the same time. Da Funk’s La Boheme Remix is smooth, perfect, and beach-friendly.”
Velanche (Valanche’s Playtime Radio Show) - “A warm vibe on the original, and good remixes from Da Funk and Minotaurs.”
Deepshizzol (MyHouse-YourHouse) - “Lovely stuff! Summer vibes on every track … lush deepness.”
Milton Welch (Soul Reflector) - “A rare blend of lush and stripped down qualities that make for a unique listening experience. The growing popularity of deep house is something that makes me suspicious, but not when it sounds like this.”

Available now from Beatport and Juno Download.

Jevne - Following The System (Blue Label Series #1) (Eighth Dimension Records) →

Eighth Dimension Records has launched its Blue Label Series, a continuing set of releases curated by Q-Burns Abstract Message focusing on eclectic, deeper dance floor sounds. There’s no better way to start this party than with our bass guitar-slinging DJ friend from Minneapolis, Jevne. Arising out of the rave days of the early nineties to founding his quality-consistent Onethirty Recordings label Jevne has been a longtime active player on the American dance music scene. His previous appearance on Eighth Dimension was a superb remix of Beaters & Bowls’ ”The Stranger” and Jevne’s also contributed to the catalogs of Chillin Music, Connected Musik, Conya, among others. In between constantly traveling the world as a DJ (often accompanying himself on the aforementioned bass guitar) and running his increasingly popular label Jevne found the time to record and deliver a pair of house music firecrackers for Eighth Dimension. Leading the charge is the club-ready monster known as “Following The System.” There’s a powerful groove here transported above the norm by funky staccato chords, melodic pads, and an echoed vocal hit serving as a call to action. It’s a peak time track for the underground set, filling the floor with energy without getting too ‘big room’ on everyone.

A track like “Following The System” demands the remix treatment so Jevne and Eighth Dimension enlisted a couple of skilled mutual friends who were ready for the task at hand. Switzerland’s Da Funk, the prolific producer behind the Acryl Music label and a slew of remixes for the likes of Plastic City and Deepology Digital, is first on deck with a freewheeling after-hours excursion. Da Funk’s Punto Rojo Remix is a hefty builder, anchored by insistent rhythms and pulsating pads, eventually climaxing in a stew of 303 bubbles and filtered swirls. The echoed vocal hit floats above the thick construction as if leading the way forward. A building mix of “Following The System” of a different sort comes courtesy of Lost My Dog head honcho Pete Dafeet. Pete’s had quite the year with his label reaching its fifth year, marked by a highly rated CD compilation mixed by the man himself. Here Pete Dafeet’s remix rides on an almost Detroit-ish foundation of drum machine and bass line, hypnotically pulling the listener in as elements from Jevne’s original spaciously enter the sound-space. Warm, sustained pads rest underneath the signature vocal hit which is manipulated through additional echo and reverb treatments. A prime time basement jam, ready to be tightly mixed into a DJ’s set.

Jevne closes out this single with the ‘b-side’ bonus of “Velvet Eyes.” Here’s Jevne on a percussive breakbeat tip, experimenting a bit on top of a four-on-floor footing. Wild sounds and synth bits circle around the mix as we get a bit of Jevne’s trademark live bass guitar holding down the bottom end. This is a sweet addition to the arsenal of a house DJ looking for something far from traditional, and a fantastic way to close out the first edition of the Blue Label Series. Be on the lookout for more volumes in the series coming right at you from your pals at Eighth Dimension.

Cover art by Jaco Justice: www.awareinjustice.com

Pete Moss (Recline, USA) - “Da Funk and Dafeet are both Da Bomb!” 
Giom (Ornate Music, Om Records) - “Pete Dafeet mix for me.” 
Orde Meikle (Slam, Soma) - “This sounds nice … I will play it.” 
Will SumSuch (Etoka, Urbantorque) - “Excellent package. I’m liking all tracks but Da Funk’s mix is gonna be the one for me. Beautiful, atmospheric acid business!” 
Brothers’ Vibe - “Will play the remixes. Nice work!” 
Craig Stewart (Universe Media, DCsTrax) - “Da Funk is on fire with a silver bullet for the dance floor!” 
Tyler Stadius - “I like this sort of trippy, old west coast groove.” 
Kosmas Epsilon (Epsilon Trax / Proton Radio) - “Tops! ‘Following The System’ original mix is the best here. I also dig the Pete Dafeet mix. Great release!” 
Jota Wagner (Colors Sound System, Lunatic Jazz) - “Da Funk’s mix is pretty nice. A pure trip.” 
DJ Phil T (DJ Times) - “A juicy club workout. Full support all the way!” 
Benji Candelario (Transistor Music, USA) - “Good late night groove. I will definitely support!” 
Nacho Marco (Loudeast, Om Records) - “I’m liking the original and remixes of ‘Following The System.’ I will play it.” 
Joey Silvero (Distant People) - “The Pete Dafeet remix is for me with its rolling bassline and hypnotic stabs …heavy and funky.” 
Raymundo Rodriguez (Wrong Mixed Sessions) - “Pete Dafeet mix does it for me.” 
Greg Fenton (DMC Update) - “Very nice!” 
Russell Deeks (iDJ Magazine) - “Quality house music!”

Available now from Juno Download and Beatport